What does the name "Jesus" mean?
Quick answer
"Jesus" is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning "the LORD saves." The angel told Joseph to give the baby this name "because he will save his people from their sins."
Yeshua is a variant of Joshua, "the LORD saves." It was a common Jewish name, but in this baby it became prophecy.
Matthew 1:21 makes the meaning explicit: "You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
The name itself is gospel. Every time we say it we are saying, "the LORD saves." It is the name above every name, before which every knee will bow.
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Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.