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Home › Baby Names Directory › Messiah

Messiah

♂ Boy

Pronounced muh-SY-uh /məˈsaɪ.ə/High

Meaning: The anointed one — from Hebrew/Aramaic mashiah (the anointed one), the same root as the Greek Christos (Christ)High

In 30 seconds: Directly from the Hebrew/Aramaic for 'the anointed one,' Messiah is one of the most theologically bold given names in use — and one of the fastest-rising boys' names in the United States.
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Origin HighHebrew, Aramaic
MeaningThe anointed one — from Hebrew/Aramaic mashiah (the anointed one), the same root as the Greek Christos (Christ)
U.S. rank (2025)#207 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births1,666 boys (0.10% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 27,037

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202119732025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Messiah comes from the Hebrew/Aramaic mashiah (anointed, the anointed one), which is the same word translated into Greek as Christos (Christ). In Jewish tradition, the Messiah is the awaited deliverer. In Christian tradition, Jesus is identified as the Messiah/Christ. The name carries profound theological weight in both traditions.

Messiah began appearing in U.S. birth records in significant numbers in the 2000s and grew rapidly in the 2010s. The 2013 court controversy dramatically raised the name's profile, and it entered the top 250 boys' names. It is used predominantly in African-American communities and among Christian families who see the name as a powerful spiritual declaration.

Did you know? In 2013 a Tennessee judge ordered that a baby named Messiah must be renamed, ruling that 'Messiah is a title that has only been earned by one person.' An appellate court overturned the ruling, affirming that parents have the right to use the name — and the case made national news, giving the name enormous publicity.

Variations

MesiahMessias

Nicknames

SiahMessi

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Messiah…

Elijah— Hebrew prophetic name with the same profound theological resonance
Isaiah— Hebrew prophetic name sharing Messiah's deep Old Testament weight
Zion— Hebrew holy place name with the same bold, spiritual declaration quality
Israel— Hebrew biblical name with the same powerful spiritual significance

Frequently Asked

What does the name Messiah mean?

Messiah comes from Hebrew/Aramaic mashiah meaning 'the anointed one' — the same root as the Greek word Christ.

How do you pronounce Messiah?

Messiah is pronounced muh-SY-uh /məˈsaɪ.ə/ — three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Messiah a boy or girl name?

Messiah is used primarily as a boys' name in the United States.

How popular is Messiah?

Messiah entered the U.S. top 200 boys' names in the 2010s following the high-profile 2013 legal case and continues to grow.

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