The name ‘Jesus’ carries significant power, presence, and meaning. 

Its spelling and pronunciation have evolved through many successive translations from Hebrew to Aramaic to Greek, which we’ll discuss in more detail later.

Before that, though, let’s take a look at where the name Jesus, particularly in verses relating to the topic of names and naming, appears in the Bible. 

“The name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” (Philippians 2:9-10).

This verse signifies the weight of the Lord’s name. But where’d it come from?

In Matthew 1:21, we understand that angels announced the name Jesus to Joseph and Mary: “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

The powerful ‘feeling’ of the name Jesus isn’t surprising, considering that it is through the Lord’s name that we are absolved of our sins and forgiven. This notion is introduced in the following verse from Acts. 

“To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43).

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This briefly summarizes the scriptural placement of the name Jesus. But what about its etymology? What does it sound like in its original form, and what does the name Jesus mean?

Sung about in hymns, spoken of in countless scriptural verses, and read of in classic bedtime bible stories, we arrived at the universally recognizable name Jesus through a number of translations. 

Let’s go back to the Hebrew version of his name to understand where the name ‘Jesus’ came from.

Translated from Hebrew, Jesus’ name is Yeshua. This word is a combination of Yah, an abbreviation for Yahweh and the name of Israel’s God (Exodus 3:14), and the verb yasha, meaning “rescue,” “deliver,” or “save.”

Thus, the name Yeshua literally means ‘God saves’ or ‘God is salvation.’

How then did this become ‘Jesus’? 

Well, the English spelling of Yeshua is Joshua (or 'Jeshua'). When this was translated into the original Greek word in the New Testament, it became the Greek name ‘Iēsous,’ the English pronunciation of which is Jesus. 

You may never have considered it before, but the meaning of the name Jesus summarizes his mission and life’s work. To bring people salvation — to save them. 

Which may seem strange when you consider the relative popularity of the name at the time. Think of Joshua as a common name comparison in today’s time — there were many named Yeshua or Jesus in Judea in the 1st century.

But, in line with his character, his name suggested humility and a strong kinship to the common people. This is part of how he was able to spread God’s message so powerfully and persuasively. 

But what of ‘Christ’?

Christ derives from the Hebrew name ‘Messiah,’ meaning ‘the anointed one.’ So, the suffix of ‘Christ’ denotes that he was indeed what the prophets wrote of, the divinely appointed Savior sent by God the Father.

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So, in just two words, Jesus Christ, we understand that we are talking about the one and only man sent by God to do His work of salvation on earth and bring people into the kingdom of heaven through his name.

But we don’t solely refer to our Lord as Jesus Christ. Throughout the Bible, and probably throughout your religious study and practice, you have heard of him through many names. 

‘Jesus of Nazareth’ was a popular denotation that distinguished him from the many other people named Jesus during his time. 

There’s also ‘Immanuel.’ This name appears in Matthew 1:23: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they'll call him Immanuel.” Immanuel means ‘God is with us’ in Hebrew. 

You may have also heard the ‘Son of David’ instead of Jesus. This is in reference to his rightful claim to the Davidic throne based on the promises God made to King David. 

That’s not the only royal title Jesus claimed during and after his life. Isaiah 9:6 referred to him as a prince or Prince of Peace: “For us, a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he'll be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

As our one true Lord and a third of the trinity, Jesus is naturally worshipped by many under countless different names.

History tells us that the name Jesus encapsulates his life’s mission perfectly — to bring salvation to the people. 

Whether you call him Jesus, Yeshua, Jehovah, the Son of God, the Prince of Peace, the High Priest, or any other one of his names, it doesn’t matter. 

So long as you pray in his name, celebrate his life, and live as he did with undying Christian humility and compassion, you too can be saved. 

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To always stay connected to God’s word in the New and Old Testament and the power of the Holy Spirit within Christianity, download the Pray.com app in the iOS App Store or on Google Play. 

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