Classic Names That Mean God
- Jadon
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God has heard"Description:
The authentic Biblical form of a name that has become even more popular alongside Jaden, Jayden, Jaidan et al. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, whose children are named creatively after their parents as Willow and Jaden, helped launch the trend. This spelling peaked at Number 372 in 2003, though it has dropped drastically in usage over the last decade.
- Zebedee
Origin:
English variation of Hebrew ZebediahMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Zebedee is an adorable and unusual New Testament name--which may sound like but is not a contradiction in terms. Unlike some of the longer biblical Z-names, Zebedee has a more lighthearted usability, with its gleeful ee-ending. And Zeb makes a fabulous nickname.
- Zelma
Origin:
German, diminutive of AnselmaMeaning:
"God helmet"Description:
Familiar in the US, Brazil, and Latvia in the early 20th century, Zelma has been off the radar for some time. While the Selma-Thelma-Velma connection might date it, with Zelda and Alma sparking recent interest and clunky names holding new appeal, Zelma may be one to reconsider.
- Dominica
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of DominicMeaning:
"belonging to the Lord"Description:
Fashionably Continental and much fresher than Dominique, though it's been used since the Middle Ages. Dominica can be spelled any number of ways, from Dominika to Domenica, but we prefer this version.
- Thijs
Origin:
Dutch short form of MatthijsMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Usually pronounced to rhyme with nice — though others may rhyme it with Jace — Thijs is a popular Dutch name short for that country's form of Matthew. Matt Lauer's half-Dutch son is called Thijs.
- Obadiah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"servant of God"Description:
For the seriously audacious biblical baby namer who wants to move beyond Elijah and Josiah, this name has considerable old-fangled charm. Obadiah, who gave his name to one of the shortest books in the Bible, was a rich man who had the gift of prophecy. There are several other men named Obadiah in the Bible, as well as a Saint Obadiah.
- Amiel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is with my people"Description:
Amiel is a biblical name with lots of connections to those with a creative spirit, including director Jon Amiel, French pop singer Thierry Amiel, and medieval troubadour Gaubert Amiel. Ami (which means friend in French) is an obvious (and beautiful) nickname option.
- Jothan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is upright"Description:
Jothan or Jotham was both a son of Gideon and a king of Judah in the Bible. One of the biblical boys' names that's still obscure -- though like so many others in this class, it could be rediscovered.
- Hrishikesh
Origin:
HinduMeaning:
"lord of the senses"Description:
Hrisihikesh (the first H is silent) is another name for Lord Vishnu. Musician Hrishikesh Hirway is the creator of the popular podcast Song Exploder. The internationally-friendly short form is Hrishi, pronounced like Rishi.
- Zephan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God has hidden"Description:
This shortened form of Zephaniah makes an original Old Testament choice. It might plausibly make an honor name for Stephen or Stephan, and comes with the appealing short form Zeph.
- Eliot
Origin:
Variation of Elliot, English diminutive of EliasMeaning:
"Yahweh is God"Description:
Sleekened spelling.
- Banyan
Origin:
IndianMeaning:
"the God tree"Description:
This evocative name of a dramatic tropical Indian fig tree is ready to move west.
- Jeanine
Origin:
French variation of JeanMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Together with the more common (in France) Jeannine spelling, this feminine form of Jean was most popular in the 1930s in its home country, and in the 1960s in the US. It's fallen off the Top 1000 list since, but perhaps cute retro nickname Jeannie could tempt some vintage-loving parents back.
- Ganesh
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"god of the multitude"Description:
The name of the elephant-headed Hindu god of wisdom is rarely heard outside India.
- Kristof
Origin:
Slavic variation of Christopher, Greek and LatinMeaning:
"bearer of Christ"Description:
Attractive attenuated form of the popular Christopher, well used throughout Europe, appearing as Christophe in France and Christoph in Germany.
- Jotham
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"the Lord is perfect"Description:
Jotham is an Old Testament name that today would certainly be the only one in his class, having something of an urban feel via its similarity to the word 'gotham'. In the Bible one Jotham is the sole surviving son of Gideon after the massacre of his brothers, the other is a king of Judah who was an enthusiastic builder. Jotham Riddle is a character in James Fenimore Cooper's novel The Pioneers, while Jotham Powell appears in Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome.
- Oziel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"might of God"Description:
An obscure Old Testament name used by parents of 75 boys in 2016, Oziel could be a distinctive route to fashionable nickname Oz.
- Manuela
Origin:
Spanish, feminine variation of EmmanuelMeaning:
"God is with us"Description:
Manuela is one feminine form that's more energetic than the male original, and is worth considering if you're seeking an easily assimilated Spanish name.
- Yann
Origin:
French/Breton variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
This might be a better choice than the similarly pronounced Jan, to avoid gender confusion.
- Balthasar
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"God protects the king"Description:
Balthasar was one of the biblical Three Kings who visited the infant Jesus, also used by Shakespeare and in the oil-rich Getty family; offbeat and intriguing. Balthazar is another, equally appropriate spelling.
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