873+ Names That Mean God
- Rida
Origin:
MuslimMeaning:
"God-fearing or devoted to God"Description:
Rida is a name indirectly mentioned in the Quran. While it can be used for both girls and boys, in English-speaking countries its similarity to the more common Rita makes it more appropriate for girls.
- Johan
Origin:
Scandinavian and Dutch variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
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.
- Jovani
Origin:
English, Latin AmericanMeaning:
"god is gracious"Description:
A respelling of Giovanni which makes the Italian pronunciation – three syllables, rather than four – more clear. Jovani and its variant Jovanni were both Top 1000 picks for the first decade and a half of the 20th century. They are particularly popular in the US's Latino community.
- Elisa
Origin:
Dutch, Danish, German from HebrewMeaning:
"god is my salvation"Description:
Form of Elisha or Eliseus, a prophet in Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
- 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.
- Kano
Origin:
African place-name or JapaneseMeaning:
"the god of the waters"Description:
Pleasing crossover possibility.
- Zurielle
Origin:
Hebrew, variation of ZurielMeaning:
"God is my rock"Description:
Zuri is one of the trendiest names in recent years, so it is no wonder that this elaborated form is seeing more use as well. Zurielle may be a feminization of the male Biblical name Zuriel, or an elaboration of the African name Zuri.
- Ferdia
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"man of smoke; man of god"Description:
The meaning of this rare Irish name is not fully known. It may mean "man of god", or else derive from an element meaning "smoke". In Irish mythology, this was the name of a warrior who was killed by his friend Cúchulainn. Vikings actor Ferdia Walsh-Peelo is a famous bearer.
- Azarel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God has helped"Description:
A name mentioned multiple times in the Old Testament.
- Mattias
Origin:
Scandinavian, spelling variation of MatthiasMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
This particular spelling was chosen by Will Ferrell for his son, brother to Magnus. These names are both popular in Sweden, birthplace of their mother, Viveca Paulin.
- Johnny
Origin:
Diminutive of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
The ultimate midcentury nickname, retaining a good measure of retro charm, was chosen for her son by Mira Sorvino.
- Mattis
Origin:
Scandinavian, German variation of Matthias, MatthewMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Mattis was most popular in Scandinavia in the 2000s and 2010s, and is now seeing success in Germany. In the US, it's most familiar as a surname.
- Anaiah
Origin:
Variation of Anaia, Basque, or HebrewMeaning:
"brother; God has answered"Description:
Despite being associated with male characters in the Bible, Anaiah is much more common for girls in the US. In Puerto Rico, Anaiah ranks in the Top 100.
- Mariano
Origin:
Italian, Spanish and PortugueseMeaning:
"relating to the god Mars"Description:
A handsome and romantic-sounding European option.
- Jevon
Origin:
Welsh, variation of EvanMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Yet another offshoot of the original John, also sometimes used as Jevan or Yevan.
- Sheena
Origin:
Anglicization of Sine; Irish variation of JaneMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Animated Gaelic name popularized by singer Sheena Easton, also brings to mind Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, the Amazonian comic book and TV series heroine. Sine is considered to be and English equivalent of Jane or Jean.
- Gurnaaz
Origin:
PunjabiMeaning:
"God's Pride, Proud of God"Description:
A girl name common amongst Punjabi and Sikh families in India.
- Iraia
Origin:
MaoriMeaning:
"the God wrestler"Description:
Iraia is one of those rare names that exists as a male form in one culture -- in this case, Maori -- and in a female form with a totally different meaning and derivation. New Zealand actor Jemaine Clement, who is a descendant of the progressive Wairarapa chief Iraia Te Whaiti, named his son Sophocles Iraia.
- Shia
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"gift of god"Description:
The young male star Shia LaBeouf has given this name a male image, but many would consider its sound soft and feminine.
- Samael
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"poison of God"Description:
Samael is an archangel in Talmudic lore — a figure who is the accuser, seducer, and destroyer. He is often made to resemble Satan, although his jobs are not all necessarily evil (such as destroying sins).