Names of God
The Bible never gives God just one name. Hebrew scripture uses the sacred four-letter name YHWH alongside titles like Elohim, Adonai and El Shaddai, and each one highlights a different side of God’s character: provider, healer, shepherd, judge, refuge. Learning these names has long been a form of prayer and study in both Jewish and Christian tradition.
Below are 100+ names and titles of God with their meanings and where they appear, starting with the Hebrew names of the Old Testament, then the English titles found across scripture, names for the Holy Spirit, and finally how other faiths and languages name the divine. For names given specifically to Christ, see our companion page on the names of Jesus; for Islam’s tradition, see the 99 names of Allah.
Hebrew names of God in the Old Testament
The core names used in the Hebrew Bible. In many Jewish communities YHWH is not pronounced aloud and is read as Adonai or HaShem instead.
| Name | Meaning | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| YHWH (Yahweh) | The personal, covenant name of God; linked to “I am” or “he who is” | Exodus 3:15 |
| Jehovah | A later English rendering of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai | Exodus 6:3 (KJV) |
| Elohim | God (plural form expressing majesty and power) | Genesis 1:1 |
| El | God, mighty one | Genesis 33:20 |
| Eloah | God (singular form) | Job 3:4 |
| Adonai | Lord, Master | Psalm 8:1 |
| Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh | I Am That I Am / I will be what I will be | Exodus 3:14 |
| Yah (Jah) | Short poetic form of YHWH; found in “Hallelujah” | Psalm 68:4 |
| HaShem | The Name (used in Jewish speech instead of YHWH) | Rabbinic tradition |
| Shekhinah | The dwelling presence of God | Rabbinic tradition |
| Kadosh Yisrael | The Holy One of Israel | Isaiah 1:4 |
| Tzur Yisrael | The Rock of Israel | 2 Samuel 23:3 |
| Avinu Malkeinu | Our Father, our King | Jewish liturgy |
The “El” names: God Almighty, Most High and more
Compound names built on El, the oldest Semitic word for God. Several appear at key turning points in Genesis.
| Name | Meaning | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| El Shaddai | God Almighty | Genesis 17:1 |
| El Elyon | God Most High | Genesis 14:18–20 |
| El Olam | The Everlasting God | Genesis 21:33 |
| El Roi | The God who sees me | Genesis 16:13 |
| El Gibbor | Mighty God | Isaiah 9:6 |
| El Chai | The Living God | Joshua 3:10 |
| El Emunah | The Faithful God | Deuteronomy 7:9 |
| El Kanna | Jealous God | Exodus 20:5 |
| El Rachum | Merciful God | Deuteronomy 4:31 |
| El Elohe Yisrael | God, the God of Israel | Genesis 33:20 |
| El Deot | The God of knowledge | 1 Samuel 2:3 |
| El Hannora | The awesome God | Nehemiah 9:32 |
| Immanuel | God with us | Isaiah 7:14 |
Jehovah compound names (YHWH names)
Each of these pairs the divine name with a description, often at the moment someone experienced that quality of God firsthand.
| Name | Meaning | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jehovah Jireh | The Lord will provide | Genesis 22:14 |
| Jehovah Rapha | The Lord who heals | Exodus 15:26 |
| Jehovah Nissi | The Lord is my banner | Exodus 17:15 |
| Jehovah Shalom | The Lord is peace | Judges 6:24 |
| Jehovah Raah (Rohi) | The Lord is my shepherd | Psalm 23:1 |
| Jehovah Tsidkenu | The Lord our righteousness | Jeremiah 23:6 |
| Jehovah Shammah | The Lord is there | Ezekiel 48:35 |
| Jehovah Mekoddishkem | The Lord who sanctifies you | Exodus 31:13 |
| Jehovah Sabaoth | The Lord of Hosts | 1 Samuel 1:3 |
| Jehovah Elyon | The Lord Most High | Psalm 7:17 |
| Jehovah Gibbor | The Lord mighty in battle | Psalm 24:8 |
| Jehovah Tsuri | The Lord my rock | Psalm 144:1 |
| Jehovah Machsi | The Lord my refuge | Psalm 91:9 |
Titles of God in English Bibles
Descriptive titles you’ll meet reading the Psalms, the prophets and the letters of Paul. Many are used today in hymns and prayers.
| Title | What it expresses | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Almighty | Unlimited power | Revelation 1:8 |
| Most High | Supreme above all | Psalm 91:1 |
| Ancient of Days | Eternity and wisdom | Daniel 7:9 |
| Creator | Maker of heaven and earth | Isaiah 40:28 |
| Father | Loving parent and source of life | Matthew 6:9 |
| Abba | Aramaic, an intimate word for “Father” | Romans 8:15 |
| King of Kings | Sovereign over all rulers | 1 Timothy 6:15 |
| Lord of Lords | Highest authority | Deuteronomy 10:17 |
| Alpha and Omega | The beginning and the end | Revelation 1:8 |
| The First and the Last | Eternal existence | Isaiah 44:6 |
| Judge of All the Earth | Perfect justice | Genesis 18:25 |
| Holy One | Complete purity and otherness | Isaiah 40:25 |
| Rock | Stability, strength | Deuteronomy 32:4 |
| Fortress | Protection | Psalm 18:2 |
| Refuge | Safe shelter | Psalm 46:1 |
| Deliverer | One who rescues | Psalm 70:5 |
| Redeemer | One who buys back and restores | Isaiah 44:24 |
| Shepherd | Care and guidance | Psalm 23:1 |
| Consuming Fire | Holiness and zeal | Hebrews 12:29 |
| Light | Truth, goodness, revelation | 1 John 1:5 |
| Love | God’s essential nature | 1 John 4:8 |
| Everlasting Father | Eternal care | Isaiah 9:6 |
| Father of Lights | Giver of every good gift | James 1:17 |
| God of All Comfort | Consolation in trouble | 2 Corinthians 1:3 |
| Potter | Shaper of lives | Isaiah 64:8 |
| Husband | Covenant faithfulness | Isaiah 54:5 |
| Portion | Enough, one’s inheritance | Psalm 73:26 |
| Keeper | Watchful protector | Psalm 121:5 |
| Great I Am | Self-existent, unchanging | Exodus 3:14 |
| Living God | Active and present | Jeremiah 10:10 |
Names of the Holy Spirit
In Christian theology the Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. The Hebrew word ruach and the Greek pneuma both mean breath or wind as well as spirit.
| Name | Meaning | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Spirit | The Spirit of God, set apart | Luke 11:13 |
| Holy Ghost | Traditional English form of Holy Spirit | Acts 2:4 (KJV) |
| Ruach HaKodesh | Hebrew, “the holy spirit / breath” | Psalm 51:11 |
| Paraclete | Greek parakletos, “advocate, one called alongside” | John 14:16 |
| Comforter | Consoler, helper | John 14:26 (KJV) |
| Counselor | Advisor, advocate | John 14:16 (NIV) |
| Spirit of Truth | Guide into all truth | John 16:13 |
| Spirit of Life | Giver of new life | Romans 8:2 |
| Spirit of Grace | Bringer of undeserved favor | Hebrews 10:29 |
| Breath of the Almighty | Source of life | Job 33:4 |
Names for God in other faiths and languages
How other religious traditions and languages name the one God or the supreme being. Islam’s names are covered in full on our names of Allah page, and ancient pantheons in Greek god names.
| Name | Tradition / language | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Allah | Arabic (Islam; also used by Arab Christians) | The God |
| Ar-Rahman | Islam | The Most Gracious |
| Elah | Aramaic | God |
| Theos | Greek (New Testament) | God |
| Kyrios | Greek (New Testament) | Lord |
| Deus | Latin | God |
| Dominus | Latin | Lord |
| Dios | Spanish | God |
| Dieu | French | God |
| Gott | German | God |
| Bog | Russian and other Slavic languages | God |
| Brahman | Hinduism | Ultimate reality |
| Ishvara | Hinduism | Supreme Lord |
| Bhagavan | Hinduism | Blessed One, Lord |
| Waheguru | Sikhism | Wonderful Lord / Enlightener |
| Ik Onkar | Sikhism | There is one God |
| Akal Purakh | Sikhism | The Timeless Being |
| Ahura Mazda | Zoroastrianism | Wise Lord |
| Olodumare | Yoruba religion | The supreme creator |
| Nkulunkulu | Zulu tradition | The Great-Great One, the first ancestor |
| Ngai | Kikuyu and Maasai tradition | Supreme God of Mount Kenya |
| Wakan Tanka | Lakota tradition | The Great Mystery / Great Spirit |
| Gitche Manitou | Anishinaabe tradition | The Great Spirit |
| Tian | Chinese tradition | Heaven |
How to use the names of God in study and prayer
- Read each name in its setting. El Roi means more once you know it was spoken by Hagar alone in the desert (Genesis 16).
- Pray one name a day or a week. Many devotionals work through the Jehovah compound names this way.
- Respect Jewish practice around the divine name: many Jews write “G-d” and avoid pronouncing YHWH.
- Some parents look for names containing “El” or “Jah/iah” as a quiet tribute, such as Elijah, Daniel or Isaiah; see biblical names for more.
- Compare translations: “Comforter” (KJV), “Counselor” (NIV) and “Advocate” (NRSV) all render the same Greek word.
Frequently asked questions
How many names of God are in the Bible?
There is no official count; lists range from a few dozen to several hundred depending on whether titles and descriptions are included. The core Hebrew names are YHWH, Elohim, El and Adonai.
What is God’s real name in the Bible?
The personal name revealed to Moses is YHWH (Exodus 3:14–15), usually written Yahweh in scholarship and “the LORD” in small capitals in most English Bibles.
What does El Shaddai mean?
It is usually translated “God Almighty.” Some scholars connect Shaddai with a word for mountain, suggesting strength and permanence.
What does Jehovah Jireh mean?
“The Lord will provide.” Abraham gave the name to the place where God provided a ram in place of Isaac (Genesis 22:14).
Is Jehovah the same as Yahweh?
Yes. Both render the Hebrew YHWH; “Jehovah” combines its consonants with the vowels of Adonai, while “Yahweh” is the scholarly reconstruction of the original pronunciation.