Messiah: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, & Inspiration

Updated May 24, 2023

Table of contents

Boy name origins & meanings

Aramaic: Expected savior or deliverer

What does Messiah mean and stand for?

The name Messiah is of Aramaic origin and means "expected savior or deliverer." It is derived from the Hebrew word mashiyach, meaning "anointed." Messiah was often used in reference to Jesus Christ throughout the New Testament (it was used in reference to the king of Jewish people in the Old Testament).

Syllables: 3

How Popular Is The Name Messiah

Popularity

According to Social Security Administration data, Messiah has been steadily increasing, breaking the top 200 in 2019 and showing now signs of stopping. It's made quite the jump from 904 in 2005.

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Messiah was at its peak popularity in February 2019.

Messiah, of course, invokes images of Jesus Christ as he is often referred to as a messiah. Messiah has actually had quite the legal battle before making its way onto the SSA list. Years ago, a judge in Tennessee ruled that parents couldn't name their children Messiah "because there was only one." The ruling has since been overturned and parents have flocked to the name. Rapper T.I. Messiah Altidor, of B.E.A.M Squad fame, chose the name for his son.