Find out how popular the first name Massiah has been for the last 26 years (from 1999 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Massiah by gender

Based on the last 26 years of data, Massiah is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 94% of people named Massiah being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 81 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Massiah.

The history of the first name Massiah

The given name Massiah has its origins in the ancient Aramaic language, which was widely spoken in the Middle East during the first millennium BC. It is derived from the Aramaic term "mashiah," which means "anointed one" or "chosen one." This name has strong religious connotations, particularly within the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The earliest known reference to the name Massiah can be found in the Hebrew Bible, where it is used as a title for the anticipated messianic figure who would deliver the Jewish people from oppression and establish a new era of peace and prosperity. The word "Messiah" is an anglicized version of the Aramaic "mashiah."

One of the most notable figures associated with the name Massiah is Jesus Christ, who is revered as the Messiah in Christianity. According to the New Testament, he was born circa 5-4 BC in Bethlehem, and his teachings and ministry form the foundation of the Christian faith.

Another prominent individual with the name Massiah was Sabbatai Zevi (1626-1676), a influential Jewish rabbi who proclaimed himself to be the long-awaited Messiah. His messianic claims gained significant support among Jewish communities but ultimately led to a major crisis of faith when he converted to Islam under Ottoman Turkish pressure.

In Islamic tradition, the name Massiah is sometimes used in reference to the concept of the Mahdi, a prophesied redeemer who will establish justice and peace on Earth. One figure associated with this belief is Muhammad al-Mahdi (born 869 AD), an Ismaili Shia Muslim who claimed to be the awaited Mahdi and established the Fatimid Caliphate in North Africa.

Another notable individual with the name Massiah was Masih ad-Dajjal (c. 685-705 AD), a figure in Islamic eschatology who is believed to be a false messiah or anti-Christ figure that will appear before the end of times. His name is derived from the Arabic term "al-Masih ad-Dajjal," which means "the false messiah, the deceiver."

Beyond religious contexts, the name Massiah has also been used by various individuals throughout history, although its usage has been relatively rare compared to other names with similar roots. One example is Massiah Haddad (1664-1721), a Lebanese poet and scholar who made significant contributions to Arabic literature.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Massiah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Massiah, please contact us.

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