Find out how popular the first name Messiah has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Messiah by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Messiah is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 96% of people named Messiah being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,909 male babies and 13 female babies born with the name Messiah.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 13 baby girls were named Messiah in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Messiah

The name Messiah has its origins in the Hebrew language and is derived from the word "mashiach," which means "anointed one." It is a title given to a long-awaited deliverer or savior, initially associated with the Jewish tradition.

In the Hebrew Bible, the concept of a Messiah is mentioned, particularly in the books of Isaiah and Daniel. The Messiah was expected to be a descendant of King David, who would restore the kingdom of Israel and bring peace and justice to the world.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Messiah can be found in the New Testament of the Bible. Jesus Christ is referred to as the Messiah, with his followers believing him to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.

Throughout history, several individuals have been associated with the name Messiah or claimed to be the Messiah. One notable example is Sabbatai Zevi, a 17th-century Jewish rabbi who proclaimed himself as the Messiah in 1666. His movement gained significant followers but eventually collapsed.

Another individual who adopted the title of Messiah was Jacob Frank, a Polish-German Jewish religious leader who lived from 1726 to 1791. He founded the Frankist movement, which combined elements of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

In the 19th century, a Persian named Mirza Husayn Ali, known as Baha'u'llah, claimed to be the Messiah and the Promised One of all religions. He founded the Baha'i Faith, which has millions of followers worldwide.

The name Messiah has also been used in various artistic and cultural works. For instance, George Frideric Handel's famous oratorio "Messiah," composed in 1741, is a renowned musical work that explores the life and message of Jesus Christ.

It is important to note that while the name Messiah has significant religious and historical connotations, its usage as a given name in modern times may not necessarily reflect those traditional meanings. However, its historical and cultural significance cannot be overlooked.

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 Messiah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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