Just come across this question.... for centuries ? maybe ... people have named their children after biblical characters... ( apostles , old testament and new testament figures alike )..... and this tradition has stuck . I can't help wondering if you have got the reasoning behind your question " backwards " so to speak ... Not wanting to sound mocking , but it reminds me of the famous/infamous 1970's joke - " If Jesus was Jewish then why does he have a Mexican name "... Anyway , All the best..