Rising since 1989, #207 for boys today.
Popularity of Messiah since 1973
Babies named Messiah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 41 |
| 1980s | 52 |
| 1990s | 297 |
| 2000s | 2,049 |
| 2010s | 13,008 |
| 2020s | 11,617 |
Meaning & origin
Messiah entered U.S. birth records in 1973 (first recorded year) and has seen a dramatic rise in use, especially since the late 1980s. The trajectory indicates rising popularity since 1989, with a peak in 2021. In 2025, it ranks 207th (1 in 1,025 boys). The name carries significant religious weight, originating from the Hebrew word for 'anointed one.' It is most popular in Washington D.C., Mississippi, and South Carolina (top states: DC, MS, SC). Its use as a given name is modern and reflects a broader trend of adopting titles and concepts from religious contexts.
Messiah derives from the Hebrew "mashiach" (anointed one). In the Hebrew Bible, it referred to kings and priests anointed with oil. Later, it came to denote a future Jewish king who would restore Israel. Christians adopted the term as a title for Jesus. As a given name, it emerged in the late 20th century, reflecting a trend of using religious and honorific terms as personal names.
Where Messiah is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Messy, Siah
Variants: Moshiach, Masiach
Sibling names for Messiah
Names that share Messiah's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Messiah
Names whose popularity has moved with Messiah's over the last 50 years.
