Messiah
How to say it: muh-SY-uh · /məˈsaɪə/
From Hebrew 'mashiach' meaning 'anointed one'; used as a given name in English-speaking contexts from the 20th century.
Messiah was the 223rd most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 1,666 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 7% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #248 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #223 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 1,666 |
| Share of births | 1 in 1,850 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +7% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #248 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Emerging in recent decades, Messiah found its high point in the 2020s. Now at its peak, a slight dip seems likely going forward.
What goes with it
Breathy and resonant, Messiah sounds soft with a strong and biblical aura. Zion makes a fitting companion.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Messiah is about 1 in 78.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, Hebrew.
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