Names That Mean God

Strong but sparky, Ivančica is a Croatian name, that can be interpreted as a variation on Ivana and Ivanka, both international, feminine forms of John, or as a botanical name, derived from the Croatian word for "daisy". 
 
Ivančica is also the name of a mountain in northern Croatia, though its name might also be written as Ivanščica.

Ivančica

An alternative spelling of Layomi, a Yoruba name meaning "God is my joy" or a respelling of Laomi, a Romani form of Biblical Salome. Associated with joy and peace, it entered the US stats for the first time in 2024.

Layomie

Zsanka is a lively diminutive of either Zsanett, the Hungarian form of Jeanette, or Zsuzsanna, the Hungarian form of Susanna. Initially a nickname, it's also used on its own nowadays. The Zs beginning may take a second to get used to, but the name has a fun and bouncy sound that could work outside of Hungary.

Zsanka

This botanical Hebrew name is predominantly used on girls, however it is traditionally a unisex name that is used on boys too.

Neta

As a Choctaw name, Issi is an animal inspired choice, in which the double S is pronounced with a pause between like in "dress suit."
 
As an English name, it is a short form of Isabella or Isabelle, or maybe Isidora, Melissa, and similar.

Issi

A Portuguese classic. Many members of the Portuguese royal family were named João, and today it’s associated with a number of Portuguese and Brazilian footballers.

João

A rare Biblical name borne by two figures in the Old Testament, Paltiel combines the elements palas with el to mean "God is my deliverance" or "rescued by God". The name may also appear as Palti or Phaltiel,
 
The name is notably borne by Paltiel-hay Jacoby, a Israeli-American singer, songwriter and musician, who performed in the folk-pop duo, Ilana & Palti.

Paltiel

Tanel

While Nathan, Nat, and Nate are familiar nicknames to Nathaniel, and also used as stand alone options, Thaniel is a rarer choice. It is borne by a character in the popular novel The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley.

Thaniel

An English diminutive of Isabel or Elizabeth that works best with a longer form on the birth certificate.

Ibby

Notably borne by musician Xhoana Xheneti — known professionally as Xhoana X — Xhoana is an Albanian form of Joan. It ultimately derives from John, making it one of many international, feminine variations.
 
The spelling might throw anyone unfamiliar with the name, but the Albanian Xh makes an English J sound, meaning Xhoana is pronounced similarly to the English Joanna.

Xhoana

Popular Leo meets popular Theodore in this seamless compound name, that could be interpreted as meaning "lion's gift" or "god gifted lion". Borne by a character in the 2016 movie, Zootopia, it has see little real world usage.

Leodore

An Italian feminization of Samuel that comes off as dated, we can't imagine many parents choosing Samuela over Samantha. 

Samuela

Well used in Israel and in Russia, either on its own or as an endearment for Galila or Galina. 

Galya

An archaic pet form of Elisabeth (and its diminutives), rarely used as a given name in its native Germany. 

Lieschen

Denisa is a variation of Denis, the Old French name for the Greek god of wine and debauchery, Dionysus. Familiar in its native Czechia, Slovakia, and Romania, Denisa may be a slightly sparkier way to honor a family Dennis if you don't love the 60s favorite, Denise. 
 
In Czech, the name is said as DEH-nih-sa, while in Romanian it is pronounced as deh-NEE-sa. In Slovak, it is similar to the Romanian pronunciation, but with the emphasis on the first syllable.

Denisa

An unusual route to nickname Zach, Zachariel is one of the seven archangels in The Book of Enoch who lead souls to the afterlife. Also known as Sarakiel, Zerachiel, and Saraqael, the name does not appear in the Bible, but is listed in the ancient Jewish apocalyptic text, that explores the fall of several angels, the origins of demons, and a prophetic future reign of the Messiah.
 
The meaning of the name is contested, however, possibilities include "command of God" or "God remembers". It is a very rare choice that has never ranked in the US stats, but has been used in South American countries, albeit very quietly.

Zachariel

This rhythmic South Slavic name is related to Elijah, as a feminine form of the local variant Ilija. With a sound reminiscent of the popular Eliana and a distinct -ka ending, Ilinka is an attractive possibility that could easily be used internationally.

Ilinka

A name with a great, grateful meaning from the Igbo language of Nigeria.

Nkechinyere

A beautiful Indian girl's name typically seen in Hindu families.

Ashrita

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 48)

873+ Names That Mean God