Names That Mean God

While the (male) French form is pronounced in English like the girls' name Michelle and the German form had a hard k-like sound in the middle, this variation of Michael is distinguished by being used evenly for girls and boys in the U.S.   For either gender, though, pronunciation issues will dominate.

Michel

Traditionally, Ares was the blood-thirsty god of war and son to Zeus and Hera in Greek mythology, and it has been rising up the US charts for boys since 2013, in tune with other mythological names like Athena, Artemis, and Atlas. In Spain, it has been used as a unisex option since the 90s and as such, a number of American girls have been receiving the name in recent years.
 
In fact, as a Spanish girl name, it has a different origin. Deriving from the Catalan Mare de Déu de les Ares or "Mother of God of the Ares", it is a nod to a sanctuary in Coll d'Ares, a mountain pass in the Pyrenees. Whether this is why American parents are choosing it however is unknown.

Ares

This strong and commanding Russian name is pronounced ah-KEEM. 

Akim

Lisette, also spelled Lizette, is a dainty,, if somewhat dated, Gallic offshoot of Elizabeth. It reached its U.S. peak of popularity in 1999, then fell off the list in 2001.
 Lisette Model (born Elise) was an influential Austrian-born photographer; Lizette Reese was an esteemed early twentieth century poet. 
 There's a Lisette character in the new show Welcome to the Family.

Lisette

Whether you spell it Lisette or Lizette, a somewhat dated diminutive that nevertheless retains some charm. 

Lizette

Yet another offshoot of the original John, also sometimes used as Jevan or Yevan.

Jevon

A compound name used occasionally in Spanish speaking countries, which blends Jose with Daniel to create something new. In English, it could also be considered a smoosh of John and Daniel, giving it the meaning "God is a gracious judge". Given to around 30 boys each year in the US, Joniel also ranked in Puerto Rico. 

Joniel

Made most familiar in English-speaking countries by prize-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chimamanda has a wonderful meaning and can be shortened to Chima or the spunky Chi. In 2022, it entered the UK Top 1000 for the first time, and has been climbing ever since. A recent year saw it rank in at #547, when it was given to 70 girls. 

Chimamanda

Eliane is a melodic name with the very fashionable El- beginning. Lovely and lilting as it is, be aware that there are many El- variations around these days, and little girls called Ellie as a result.


Eliane

The female version of Emanuel could become more prominent, though for some it still carries a steamy image dating back to a then sensationally erotic French film. Singer and Shameless star Emmy Rossum's full name is Emmanuelle.

Emmanuelle

Netanel

Sweet but sleek, and distinctive, Liesel is an old German nickname-name for Elisabeth. It might have once seemed inextricably tied to to its country of origin, but now, like Elsa, Enzo, Saoirse, Freya, Soren, and Heidi, it leans more towards being international and European chic.
 The name can also be spelled Liesl, however Liesel may feel more familiar and user friendly outside of German speaking countries.
 Many people associate the name with Liesl von Trapp, the eldest daughter in The Sound of Music, who is "Sixteen Going on Seventeen", as her song famously says. The Liesel spelling however might be more closely associated with Liesel Meminger from the popular novel (and film), The Book Thief.

Liesel

Onetime superstar name (Number 4 in the seventies) that's now in steep decline. Today's feminine is more likely to be some form of Michaela...or Makayla. 

Michele

Tobiah is the original Hebrew form  of the better-known Greek Tobias, to which it could make a distinctive alternative. With its ah ending, Tobiah fits in with other stylish Biblical names today, from Noah to Isaiah to Josiah and Zachariah. And of course, Toby is an adorable nickname.


Tobiah

Arely has seen a spike in popularity among Hispanic and Latin American parents in recent years, and variant Arelys has also received more attention as a result. A name with Biblical ties and an on-trend sound, Arelys was a fast rising choice back in 2023, when it was given to ten times the number of babies it was given to the year prior.
 
Arelys is likely a feminized form of Areli, meaning "the voice of God" or "the lion of God". Alternatively, it might have come about as a shortened form of Aracelis or Araceli, meaning "sky altar". Whichever route you follow, it has a spiritual vibe about it. 
 
Given to nearly 48 girls in a recent year, Arelys got an extra boost from the Spanish-language Netflix series Arelys Henao.

Arelys

A common girl name in Israel that could travel well to the US.

Liel

Men may be from Mars as the saying goes, and the name may derive from the Latin maris meaning male, but soul singer Erykah Badu and Workaholics star Blake Anderson have given it potential as a unisex name after they both used it for their daughters. 
 
Ticking the boxes as a mythological name and as a space-related choice, Mars first appeared in the US stats for girls in 2016. Chosen for 36 girls in 2023, it has been quietly gaining more attention, though it does remain 4 times more popular for boys at last count.
 
Connected to the month of March and to one of the brightest objects in the sky - The Red Planet - Mars could fit in with the likes of Mae and Winter, Luna and Nova, Juno and Freya, Sloane and Quinn.

Mars

An international possibility, heard from England and Israel to Poland, Latvia, and Albania. It is a name with a vast range of possible meanings and origins, including: a Polish variation of Jane, meaning "God is Gracious"; a Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian short form of Susanna, meaning "lily"; a Persian name meaning "woman"; a Mongolian name meaning "bullfinch"; and a Shona name from Zimbabwe meaning "a hundred".
 
It's also related to a figure in Albanian mythology, associated with mountains and vegetation. The name could derive from zâni meaning "voice", zână, a Romanian name meaning "fairy", or from Diana, meaning "divine".

Zana

Raffaele

A romantic way to get to covetable nicknames Gia and Nina.

Giannina

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 24)

873+ Names That Mean God