Many people know Him as “Jesus,” but was that His real name when He walked the earth? To understand the true name of Jesus, we have to go back to the language, culture, and history of His time.
The Name “Jesus” Is an English Translation
The name “Jesus” comes from the Greek name Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς). The New Testament was written in Greek, and this is how Jesus’ name was recorded. Later, it was translated into Latin as Iesus, and eventually into English as Jesus.
| Language | Name Used | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hebrew | Yeshua | Original name in Hebrew/Aramaic |
| Aramaic | Yeshuʿa | Common spoken name in Jesus' time |
| Greek | Iēsous | Used in the New Testament |
| Latin | Iesus | Used by the Roman Catholic Church |
| English | Jesus | Modern-day translation |
Jesus' Hebrew Name Was “Yeshua”
Jesus' real name in Hebrew was Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ). This is a shortened form of Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ), which means “Yahweh is salvation.”
This is the same name as Joshua in the Old Testament.
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” — Matthew 1:21 (ESV)
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’” — John 19:28 (ESV)
Why the Name Changed Over Time
As the Gospel spread across cultures, the original Hebrew names were transliterated into other languages. This means the names were changed to match the sounds of different tongues, not necessarily the meanings.
Greek, for example, doesn’t have the "sh" sound, so Yeshua became Iēsous. In English, it became Jesus after many years of linguistic change.
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” — Acts 4:12 (ESV)
What Does “Yeshua” Mean?
The name Yeshua comes from the root word yasha, which means “to save or deliver.” This ties directly into Jesus’ role as Savior.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” — Luke 19:10 (ESV)
“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” — Psalm 50:15 (ESV)
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Yeho- | Short form of Yahweh (God) |
| -shua | Saves / Delivers |
| Yeshua | Yahweh Saves |
Jesus Is Still the Same Person
Even though we call Him “Jesus” in English today, it refers to the same person as Yeshua in Hebrew. God looks at the heart. Whether you call Him Jesus, Yeshua, or Iēsous, He knows who you're speaking to.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” — Romans 10:13 (ESV)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
Does It Matter Which Name We Use?
Some people feel closer to Jesus when they call Him Yeshua, especially when studying Hebrew roots or Messianic beliefs. Others feel just as close using the English name Jesus.
There’s no wrong choice as long as the name reflects true faith in Him.
“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” — Philippians 2:9 (ESV)
| Name | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Jesus | Widely understood and accepted worldwide | Less connection to Hebrew meaning |
| Yeshua | Rich in cultural and biblical significance | May be unfamiliar to many English speakers |
| Iēsous | Matches original Greek text of the New Testament | Can feel distant or scholarly |
Conclusion
Jesus' real name was Yeshua, a name full of meaning: “The Lord is salvation.” Though the sound of His name has changed across languages and time, the power behind it remains the same.
“And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.” — 1 John 3:23 (ESV)
