Names That Mean Father

Abush

Yiddish diminutive of Abraham

"Father of multitudes"

Whether you're looking for an unexpected nickname for the imposing Abraham or a fresh spin on the Biblical classic, this highly unusual variation might appeal to namers with a sense of adventure.

Bige

Short form of Abijah, Hebrew

"God is my father"

The Biblical Abijah might be temporarily lost to time, but this antiquated short form could move with it into the modern era.

Abidan

Hebrew

"my father is judge"

In the Old Testament, Abidan was indeed a judge, head of the tribe of Benjamin and a leader at the time of the Exodus. Dan and Ab could work as nicknames. In 2015, there were only five boys in the US…

Cleopas

Greek

"glory to the father"

Sharing an etymology with Cleopatra, this masculine form of the name also has biblical ties. Cleopas was one of the men who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus following his resurrection. As a…

Avri

Jèrriais, English, or diminutive of Avraham, Hebrew

"springlike, fresh, dewy; ruler of the elves; father of multitudes"

Most of the parents that name their sons Avri are likely using it as a creative spelling of Avery, though it is also a Jèrriais name, from the Island of Jersey, meaning "April; spring like". From its…

Julijan

Slavic from Latin

"youthful, downy-bearded, or sky father"

Slovene and Croatian form of the international classic Julian.

Abiathar

Hebrew

"my father is great"

The name of a High Priest in the Hebrew Bible.

Vader

Dutch

"father"

Darth Vader, as in the Star Wars villain, is said to mean "dark father"

Abramuccio

Diminutive of Abramo, Judeo-Italian

"father of multitudes"

A rarely heard variation of Abraham — a significant religious figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Halil i̇brahim

Turkish from Arabic and Hebrew

"friend and father of multitudes"

A relatively common double-barreled pairing for Turkish boys.

Absalom

Hebrew

"father of peace"

Absalom, because of its biblical and literary associations, just might appeal to the daring namegiver. In the Old Testament, Absalom was the handsome, favored but rebellious son of King David. In…

Akseli

Finnish variation of Axel, Scandinavian

"father of peace"

A popular choice in Finland, where it ranks among the Top 50 boy names.

Abramo

Judeo-Italian variation of Abraham, Hebrew

"father of multitudes"

Apollon

Greek

"strength or father light"

Greek and French form of Apollo, son of Zeus and Leto and the twin of Artemis in Greek mythology. He was the god of prophecy, medicine, music, art, law, beauty, and wisdom, also associated with the…

Rava

Hebrew

"a father"

Rava was a Babylonian rabbi, born Abba ben Joseph bar Ḥama.

Aaprahami

Finnish variation of Abraham, Hebrew

"father of multitudes"

Aaprahami is unlikely to catch on in the US. Nickname Hami is more usable.

İbrahim

Turkish and Azerbaijani variation of Abraham, Hebrew

"father of multitudes"

Avichai

Hebrew

"my father lives"

Atli

Old Norse variation of Attila

"little father"

One of the most usable names for an American child from the Icelandic Top 50.