Isaiah Name Meaning
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Isaiah is frequently used as a boy name. Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Isaiah.
Fact checked by Karen Cilli
Isaiah is a strong, distinctive name that comes from the Hebrew phrase "Yahweh is salvation" or "God saves." Isaiah is the name of an Old Testament prophet known for his truth-telling, strength, and persistence. The prophet Isaiah is revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.
Origin: The biblical name Yeshayahu, or Yesha’yah, is derived from the Hebrew words yesha ("salvation") and yah (an abbreviation of Yahweh). Yesha’yah was translated to Greek as Ἡσαΐας (Esaias) and in Latin is spelled Isaias.
Gender: Isaiah is a name traditionally given to boys.
Pronunciation: eye-ZAY-uh
Editor's Note
Although baby names are often separated by gender, Parents believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you suits your new baby the best.
How Popular Is the Name Isaiah?
Although it has been used for thousands of years, the name Isaiah has become more popular in the US in recent decades. It was among the top 100 boy names in America for the first time in 1996 and ranked number 71 that year.
It continued to climb in popularity, breaking into the top 50 in the year 2000, and reaching its peak at number 39 in 2006. In 2023, Isaiah was the 56th most common name for boys in the United States, according to Social Security Administration statistics.
Name Variations
Although Isaiah is the most traditional and most common spelling, this biblical name has been spelled in a variety of ways, including:
Esaiah
Essaiah
Isaia
Isaya
Isayah
Isia
Isiah
Issia
Issiah
Izaiah
Izaya
Izayah
Iziah
Common Nicknames for Isaiah
There are lots of fun nicknames for Isaiah, including:
Aye
Iz
Izzy
Zay
Zah
Zaya
Similar Names
Isaiah looks a bit like Isaac, another biblical name starting with Isa-. There is not an exact feminine equivalent, but if you’re looking for a traditionally feminine name starting with Isa-, your options include Isabel, Isabella, Isadora, and Isa.
Other names starting with "I" include:
Ignatius
Ilan
Immanuel
Ira
Irving
Irwin
Isadore
Ivan
Other names of Old Testament prophets:
Amos
Elijah
Ezekiel
Jeremiah
Joel
Jonah
Joshua
Micah
Miriam
Moses
Samuel
Suggested Sibling Names
Abigail
Daniel
Emma
Hannah
Jacob
Matthew
Michael
Sophia
Famous People Named Isaiah
From actors to athletes, there are many notable people named Isaiah. Here’s a list of famous people with the name:
Isaiah Berlin, Latvian-born British, social and political theorist
Isaiah Buggs, American football player who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs
Isaiah Dorman, interpreter for the US Army, the only Black soldier killed at the Battle of Little Big Horn
Isaiah Firebrace, Australian singer
Isaiah Jackson, African American music conductor and founder of the Juilliard String Ensemble
Isaiah Mack, American football player who plays for the Miami Dolphins
Isaiah McKenzie, American football player who plays for the New York Giants
Isaiah Mustafa, American actor
Isaiah “Ikey” Owens, American Grammy Award-winning keyboardist
Isaiah Prince, American football player who plays for the Atlanta Falcons
Isaiah Rashad, American rapper and co-founder of the hip-hop collective, The House
Isaiah Rider, retired American basketball player who played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, and Denver Nuggets
Isaiah Rogers, American architect
Isaiah Shembe, South African evangelist and faith healer
Isaiah Washington, American actor known for his role on the TV series Grey’s Anatomy
More Baby Names
Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:
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Read the original article on Parents.