Names That Mean God

Lilian is the far less popular than the 'Lillian' spelling. To avoid a lifetime of mistakes and misspellings, we suggest you go with the Lillian spelling, which also looks more polished on paper. Whichever spelling you prefer, these names are benefitting from the fashion for <a href="https://nameberry.com/search/girls-names/l">girls' names starting with L</a>.
 
In Sweden, Lilian is a royal name through Princess Lilian, Duchess of Halland, who was born Lillian Davies. In honor of her, it is also the middle name of two young Swedish princesses.

Lilian

While this might look like a modern spelling of the classic Isabella, it is also the Hungarian and Polish form, pronounced with an EE sound at the beginning. A Top 50 name in Hungary and a Top 200 name in Poland, this form is also popular in Latvia.
 
In English speaking countries, however, it may well be used by parents seeking a way to differentiate their Isabella from all the others. This zippy spelling `leads automatically to the nickname Izzy and is currently in the US Top 500.

Izabella

Now the best-selling version of this infinitely varied name, Makayla incorporates the also-popular Kayla. Makayla and Mikayla have now left the original Michaela far behind. 

Makayla

With Old European vibes, Johan is a variant of the classic John, similar to the Latin, Hebrew, and Germanic forms, Iohannes, Yohanan, and Johannes. Conjuring up the image of the classical composer Brahms or the astronomer Kepler, while still feeling timeless and distinctive, Johan has been in the US Top 600 for most of the 21st century, helped along by Heidi Klum and Seal using it for their son in 2006.
 
Familiar across Europe, Johan is currently popular in Norway and Denmark in particular, while another famous bearer of the name was Dutch football player Johan Cruyff.

Johan

Fewer letters does not always mean easier—the traditional spelling is the one most people will recognize.

Emanuel

This Old Testament name fits in with a number of contemporary trends: boys names ending in -el, unusual Biblical choices, names with international flair, Eli- names, and softer sounding choices for boys. 
 Deriving from the Hebrew element el meaning "God", Eliel is a popular choice in Finland, while 2024 saw it become one of the fastest rising names for boys in the US. It climbed 250 places up the charts and was given to 488 babies — nearly 200 more than it was given to the year before.

Eliel

While Elliott and Elliot are well-established for boys, parents are now considering both these <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/79/boy-names-for-girls">boy names for girls</a>, too. 
 
Credit the possibility of nickname Ellie, as well as literary associations with writer George Eliot - born Mary Ann Evans.
 
Elliott is the spelling used by the lead character in the Aubrey Plaza movie My Old Ass.

Elliott

In the Bible, it's the name of an ancient prophet who was able to withstand Satan. It has gained modest attention in recent years, hitting the US Top 1000 in 2008.
 Abdiel Colberg is a Puerto Rican professional rollerblader.

Abdiel

In 2010, baby boys named Ari outnumbered baby girls 4 to 1; today, there are nearly equal numbers of boys and girls named Ari. And that's only counting the babies who receive Ari as a full name. Ari can also be short for not only Ariel but Aria, Arya, Ariana, and any other name starting with Ari. Ari entered the US Top 1000 for girls in 2016.

Yahya is an Islamic name derived from the Hebrew Yochanan, making it both an honor for the prophet John the Baptist, and one of many international forms of John. In Islamic tradition, Yahya is celebrated for his gentleness, his goodness, and his dedication to and understanding of scriptures from a young age. 
 
Currently popular in Tunisia, and Belgium, Yahya has also been on and off of the US Top 1000 charts since 2015. In a recent year, however, it was one of the fastest rising names, climbing 175 places and given to nearly 380 boys. It also made the England and Wales Top 100 for the first time in the same year.
 
Notable bearers include footballers Yahya Black and Yahya Gaad, and actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II who may have had an influence on the rise of the name in the US.

Yahya

A diminutive of Daniel that's been immortalized in odes ranging from 'Danny Boy' to 'Danny's Song.'

Danny

A traditional name still used in Orthodox families. Rivka is the original form of Rebekah or Rebecca, today used far more widely than the original.  Rifka is a variation.

Rivka

Though this is a popular name for men in the Bible, today it's used with this spelling for nearly equal numbers of girls and boys. The Azaria variation is much more often given to girls.

Azariah

Nathaniel is a wonderful classic name and Nathanael, the ancient Greek or Hebrew form, is as appealing and versatile. Appearing in the Top 1000 in England and Wales and the US, alternative spelling Nathanaël is a top choice in France. 

Nathanael

The quintessentially elegant and worldly Gabrielle -- designer Coco Chanel's real name -- is on its descent after years on the rise. 

Gabrielle was a hit in the 90s and early 2000s, peaking at number 46 in 1999. Popular nickname options include Gabby, Bri, and Brielle. 

Today Gabriella has taken over as the more popular version and has remained in the Top 100 since the turn of this century, while Gabrielle dropped out of the Top 500. This follows a collective trend of "-a" ending version surpassing the more tailored versions, similar to how Daniela replaced Danielle and Isabella took over from Isabel.

Now we think the pendulum is starting to swing back and Gabrielle sounds more chic, if not as trendy.

Gabrielle

When actress Tamera Mowry named her daughter Ariah, she said it was a Hebrew name meaning "lion of God" -- which it is, if you consider Ariah a variation of Ariel. But many sources consider Ariah a spelling variation of the Italian Aria, meaning song or literally air. 

The Ariah spelling may cause some pronunciation confusion, especially if you want to pronounce the name AHR-ee-ah. But if you want to use the pronunciation rhyming with Mariah, this spelling will help clarify.

Ariah

Shane ambled into the picture via the 1953 movie, adding a cowboy twist to its Irish essence. A variation of Sean with a hint of Shay and Zane, it is a popular choice in Ireland. 
 
Singer Siobhan O'Connor and actor Kevin Sorbo have sons named Shane, while others may associate it with singer Shane Ward, YouTuber Shane Dawson, and actor Shane Richie.

Shane

Eliana is a multicultural name, popular in the US, the UK, The Netherlands, France and Brazil. With the popular nickname Ellie and the classic sounds of Anna and Eleanor, it is no wonder this name has caught on.
 
While the Eliana spelling is popular internationally, Ellianna is uniquely popular to the US, where it entered the US Top 1000 in 2016. Given to nearly 500 babies each year, it ranks in the lower half of the charts, behind the more popular Eliana, Elliana and Elianna. 
 A name with two distinct origins, Eliana and co can derive from the Latin name, Aeliana meaning "sun", or from the Hebrew elements , El and ana, combining together to mean "God has answered". 
 
While Ellianna itself currently ranks outside the Top 600, it is worth keeping in mind that when you combine all the Elianas, Eliannas, Ellianas, and Elyannas etc. together, it begins to feel more like a Top 20 choice, ranking similarly to Camila or Sofia rather than Scottie, Romina, and Amoura. 
 If you like Ellianna but were hoping for something less popular in the US, you could consider Evelina or Anneliese.

Ellianna

Biblical names including the letter Z and those ending in -el are a big 2020s trend in the US, and Azael is one such name. It entered the Top 1000 in 2021 and in a recent count, was given to 380 boys in a single year.
 
First appearing in the Greek Old Testament, Azael is a variation of the Hebrew Hazael, meaning "God sees" or "one who sees God".

Azael

Zariyah 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."

Zariyah

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 6)

873+ Names That Mean God