Names That Mean God

The name given to Jacob/Yaacov after wrestling with God's angel, most often used without the initial Y. 

Yisrael

This spelling variation of trending unisex Ari — both diminutives of Hebrew Ariel — means "lion of God".

Arie

Zariya has several possible origins: the Arabic Zahrah which means "flower" or Zariya "scattering wind"; the Hebrew name Azariah, meaning "God has helped"; or the Russian word Zaria which means "sunrise, dawn."
 
Add an H and Zariyah is in the U.S. top 1000 names, but Zariya is rising quickly with a little over 100 baby girls receiving the name in 2023.

Zariya

A cute diminutive of Jack, already technically a nickname for John, famously borne by Hong Kong actor, director and martial artist Jackie Chan.

Jackie

Analise is the second most popular form in the US of this distinctly German combination name, with about 100 baby girls named Analise in one recent year versus about 750 named Annalise.
 
The more German and more complicated Annaliese comes in third, with Analiese the least popular.
 
The Ana part of the name is familar to English speakers. Lise is a short form of Elizabeth, ala Lisa.

Analise

This spelling of the traditional nickname for John is a bit more feminine than Johnny, based on the fashion at the turn of the 20th century to use boyish diminutives ending in -ie for girls.

Johnnie

The Scottish spelling of Isabel has a definite character of her own, the 'o' giving her an extra infusion of strength but also an element of confusion. How do you pronounce that? Answer: Exactly like Isabel or Isabelle.
 Isobels have appeared on several high-profile TV shows: Isobel Crawley is Matthew's mother on Downton Abbey, Isobel Fleming is a Vampire Diaries character, and Isobel Stevens was known as Izzie on Grey's Anatomy.

Isobel

Jahzara

Eliott is a masculine name representing a variation of Elliott, which originated as an English surname derived from the Hebrew name Elijah, meaning 'my God is Jehovah' or 'the Lord is my God.' This specific spelling with one 't' is less common than the double-t version, giving it a slightly more distinctive appearance while maintaining the familiar sound. Eliott combines traditional roots with a clean, modern feel. The name has seen steady usage throughout English-speaking countries, experiencing an uptick in popularity during the early 21st century as part of the trend toward classic names. It offers the friendly nicknames Eli or El. Eliott carries an intellectual, approachable quality that works well from childhood through adulthood.

Eliott

Ilias

A mini variation of Elsie that is better relegated as a nickname than a full form.

Elsy

There's more than one reason why parents might consider this rising name for a daughter. George Eliot was the pen name of English writer Mary Ann Evans, one of the leading authors of the Victorian era. The possibility of nickname Ellie is another factor. 

Girls have been given all possible spellings, including Eliot, Elliot, and Elliott. Lately Elliotte has emerged as a feminine form, used almost exclusively for girls in the US. The -otte ending mimics Charlotte; Eliotte is also occasionally found. 

NFL player Jason Kelce and podcaster wife Kylie named their second daughter Elliotte, helping to popularize this spelling. Eliette is sometimes seen in France.

Elliotte

Used as both a diminutive for Ivana, and as a given name in Bulgaria, Vanya has a cool sharp sound that could work internationally. It has been used from a character in the TV show and comic book The Umbrella Academy and is borne by singer and writer Vanya Shtereva and poet Vanya Petkova.
 
The name is also used in India as a form of Aranyani, the Hindu deity of the forest. It is borrowed from the Sanskrit word for "wild" and "forest".

Vanya

A Slavic classic, as common as Jane or Joan here. If you live in an Anglophone culture and you want it pronounced with a Y sound at the beginning, use the Y spelling.

Yana

This is a multi-syllabic New Testament relic that could be yet another fresh way to get to Theo. In the beginning of Luke's gospel, he dedicates his words to Theophilus.

 Theophilus North is the title of a novel by Thornton Wilder and the name of its protagonist.

Theophilus

Bright and light with a pleasing simplicity, Lielle is a distinctly feminine form of the unisex Hebrew name Liel. Comprised of the elements li ("for me") and el ("God"), it is interpreted as meaning "my God". 
 
Lielle has been quietly attracting attention in the US, with 60 babies given the name in a recent year, more than three times the number who received it a decade ago. Liel was given to around 30 babies in the same year, and is a popular choice in Israel.

Lielle

This international variation of the popular Elijah might also be written as Iliya, Ilya, Ilja, and Ilija. It is currently a unisex option in the US. 

Ilia

Now that Theodora (and Dorothea) are back, the adorable Teddi might work again for a baby girl. Teddi fits the rising trend of boyish nicknames for girls - alongside picks like Leni and Charlie. 
 
Former The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills castmember, and daughter of John Mellencamp, Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave is a famous bearer of this name. Around 50 baby girls receive this name each year in the US.

Teddi

Ananias is a New Testament name of three different figures. The two good ones were a high priest and a disciple of Paul. The not good Ananias was the husband of Sapphira who conspired to deceive the apostles and was struck dead.

Ananias

Names that mean God are plentiful, as God and all things related to a supreme power are at the root of the creation of many names.

Isabella, a variation of Elizabeth, is the top girl name meaning God. Along with Isabella, 

girl names in the US Top 1000 meaning God

 include Elizabeth, Danielle, Gabrielle, Samantha, Michaela, and Jane.



Elizabeth and Jane have dozens of popular variations that also mean God, including Elsie, Eliza, Elise, Janet, Jean, and Joan.



Elijah is the most popular boy name that means God. Along with Elijah, other 

 include Daniel, Matthew, Jack, Jeremy, Nathaniel, Caleb, Samuel, Oscar, and Shane.



John and Michael, two of the most widely-used male names of the last several centuries in the Western World, have God in their meanings.



Here is our full roster of names that mean God, ordered by current popularity on Nameberry.

Baby names for girls and boys that mean god or names that have meanings related to God, with meanings, origins, and popularity. (Page 16)

873+ Names That Mean God