What Is Jesus Christ's Real Name?
The name "Jesus" is familiar to billions, but what was his name in his own time and language?
Published February 19, 2025.
Jesus' Real Name: Meaning and Context
Jesus' real name in his time and language was Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ) in Hebrew or Aramaic, pronounced as "Yeh-SHOO-ah." It's a shortened form of Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ), meaning "Yahweh is salvation."
In the first-century Jewish world, Yeshua was a relatively common name, much like Joshua today. Many parents named their sons after the Old Testament leader Joshua, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land.
But unlike others bearing the name, Jesus embodied its meaning in a literal and spiritual sense—his followers saw him as the fulfillment of divine salvation.
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How Yeshua Became Jesus
The name Yeshua transformed into Jesus over time as Christianity spread. In Greek—the New Testament language—Yeshua became Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς) because the language didn't have a "sh" sound for direct translation.
Later, Latin, the language of the early Church, adopted Iesus from Greek. Over time, as it evolved into modern European languages, the English form of Jesus emerged.
Each linguistic shift was shaped by phonetic and grammatical features of various languages, reflecting how the name transcended cultures while retaining its profound spiritual significance.
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Jesus' Name Around the World
Across cultures, Jesus' name varies, reflecting unique linguistic, historical, and theological influences.
- In Spanish, Jesús (pronounced "Hay-SOOS") highlights the Latin roots.
- In Arabic, ʿĪsā (عيسى) appears in Islamic tradition, derived from early Syriac Christian usage.
- Greek Orthodox believers still use Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς).
- In Hebrew, modern Christians often say Yeshu (יֵשׁוּ), while others use Yeshua to emphasize historical accuracy.
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