The Names and Titles of Jesus and Their Meanings

Throughout the Bible, Jesus is called by many names and titles, and each one reveals something about his character and mission. Learning them is like seeing him from different angles, each deepening our understanding of who he is. Here's a guide to some of the most important names and titles of Jesus.

Jesus — 'the Lord saves'

His given name, Jesus, means 'the Lord saves' — and it captures his whole purpose. The angel told Joseph, 'thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.' His very name is a summary of the gospel: he came to save.

Christ — the Anointed One

'Christ' isn't Jesus' surname; it's a title, meaning 'the Anointed One' or Messiah — the long-promised King and Deliverer Israel had awaited for centuries. To call him Jesus Christ is to declare that he is the fulfilment of all God's promises, the chosen one sent to rescue and reign.

Immanuel — 'God with us'

The prophet Isaiah foretold a child called Immanuel, meaning 'God with us.' The name captures the wonder of the incarnation: in Jesus, God himself drew near and dwelt among us. He is not a distant deity but God come close, sharing our life.

Son of God and Son of Man

Jesus is called both the Son of God — affirming his divine nature and unique relationship with the Father — and the Son of Man, a title emphasising his true humanity and his role as the Messiah from the prophet Daniel's vision. Together they hold the great truth that Jesus is both fully God and fully man.

The many-named Saviour

Isaiah gathered several titles in a single soaring verse: 'his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.' Elsewhere he is called the Lamb of God, the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, the Alpha and Omega, the King of kings, and Lord. Each name reveals another facet of his infinite worth.

The many names and titles of Jesus are a treasury of his character — Saviour, Christ, Immanuel, Son of God and Son of Man, Wonderful Counsellor, Prince of Peace, and so many more. Each reveals another dimension of who he is and what he means for us. As you learn them, you're not just gathering titles; you're coming to know, more fully, the one whose name is above every name.