God's Name(s)
In Judaism, God has many names - Kabbalistic tradition teaches there are even 72! Names hold deep significance: they reveal essence, convey power, and create relationship. While “God” is a single term in English, the Jewish understanding of the Divine is richly layered, mystical, and nuanced. Even in the Torah, multiple names are used, each illuminating a distinct aspect of God: justice, mercy, presence, mystery, and more.
These names are found in prayer, meditation, and sacred texts. Some view them as spiritual tools - ways of attuning ourselves to the Divine presence both within and beyond us. Others interpret them as poetic metaphors, offering insight into the many ways God is experienced in the world and in our lives.
Each of God’s names evokes a different dimension of the Divine, inviting us to reflect on God's personality, our own spiritual experiences, and evolving theologies. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find age-specific tips for educators on how to incorporate these names into learning and discussion.
What are the names of God?
This (non-exhaustive) list is not meant to be taken as a definitive or dogmatic claim about what or who God is. Rather, it invites exploration of different ways God has been understood and called throughout time. What resonates with you? What challenges you? What might these names help you uncover about your own relationship with the Divine?
Hebrew
Transliteration
Translation
Notes
אב/ אבינו
Av/ Avinu
Father/ Our Father
Offers many derivatives, perhaps most famously Avinu Malkeinu (our Father our King) from the High Holiday liturgy
אב הרחמים
Av HaRachamim
Father of Compassion
Often invoked in prayers for the souls of the departed (memorial prayers, Yizkor)
אבינו מלכנו
Avinu Malkeinu
Our Father, Our King
Used in High Holiday liturgy, first found in Talmud Bavli Taanit 25b
אבינו שבשמים
Avinu Shebashamayim
Our Father in Heaven
This is the name of God used in the prayer for the state of Israel
אדון
Adon
Master
Commonly used in the Hebrew Bible as a title of respect for God
אדוני
Adonai
My Lord
Perhaps used most often, Adonai is what is said when reading the Tetragramaton
אהוב
Ahuv
Beloved
Rare as a formal name of God, but sometimes used in poetry and liturgy to describe the intimate relationship between God and Israel
אהיה אשר אהיה
Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh
I will be what I will be
God says this is God's name when speaking to Moses through the Burning Bush
אחד
Echad
Oneness
Central in Jewish theology, emphasizing monotheism.
אין
Eiyn
Nothingness
Highlights God’s transcendence, ineffability, and incomprehensibility.
אין סוף
Ein Sof
One Without End
Kabbalistic in origin
איש מלחמה
Ish Milchama
Man of War
From the Song of the Sea
אל
El
Mighty
As seen below, El is the start of many names of God. Some are listed here.
אל אמונה
El Emunah
Reliable God/
God of Faith
Often invoked to highlight God’s steadfastness, reliability, and covenantal faithfulness to Israel
אל הנורא
El Ha'Nora
Awesome God
Highlights God’s power, majesty, and ability to inspire reverence and fear
אל הנסתר
El HaNistar
The Hidden One
The concept appears in prophetic literature (e.g., Isaiah) and mystical traditions emphasizing God’s hidden ways
אל חנון
El Chanun
Gracious God
Rooted in Biblical expressions of God’s graciousness
אל ישוע
El Yeshua
God of Salvation
Emphasizes God’s role as deliverer and protector in times of distress. Common in prayers of thanksgiving for deliverance.
אל עליון
El Elyon
God Most High
Highlights God’s supremacy over all creation, authority, and sovereignty
אל רחום
El Rachum
Compassionate God
Common in liturgy and Psalms when appealing to God’s mercy
אל שדי
El Shaddai
God Almighty
A feminine aspect of God - Shad is a breast; some consider El Shaddai to be the Divine Feminine
אלהי אבותנו
Elohei Avoteinu
God of Our Ancestors
Invokes the covenantal relationship God has with the patriarchs and, by extension, with the Jewish people. Often used in blessings, prayers, and liturgy, particularly in the Amidah and morning blessings
אלהי האלהים
Elohei Ha'Elohim
God of Gods
Judaism acknowledges the existence of other gods, as seen by this particular name
אלהי ישראל
Elohei Yisrael
God of Israel
Emphasizes the unique covenantal relationship between God and the people of Israel
אלהים
Elohim
Mighty God
Most common Biblical term for God; grammatically plural but usually used singularly for the one God
אמת
Emet
Truth
Represents God’s consistency, faithfulness, and moral integrity
אנוכי
Anochi
I am
Found in the Ten Commandments; emphasizes God’s self-existence, authority, and identity
ברוך שאמר והיה העולם
Baruch She'amar v'Haya ha'Olam
Blessed is the One Who Spoke the World Into Being
Opening line of the morning blessing Pesukei Dezimra
גואלי
Go'ali
My Redeemer
Appears in Psalms and liturgy, often in contexts of salvation and deliverance from suffering or oppression
דיין העולם
Dayan HaOlam
Eternal Judge
Dayan is often evoked during moments of death (funerals, announcements of death, etc.)
הבורא
HaBoreh
The Creator
Often used in blessings over food and in liturgy to recognize God as the source of all creation
הגדול
Ha'Gadol
The Great One
Highlights God’s greatness and supremacy over all; evokes reverence and fear
הגעל
HaGoel
The Savior
Emphasizes God as the one who redeems Israel and individuals, whether from oppression, sin, or suffering
המקום
HaMakom
The Place
Used in mystical or theological contexts to stress that God is not confined by space, but rather all space exists within God
המקור
HaMakor
The Source
Often used philosophically or theologically to describe God as the origin of all creation, life, and blessing
הקדוש ברוך הוא
HaKadosh Baruch Hu
The Holy Blessed One
Used mostly by the rabbis of the Talmud
השם
HaShem
The Name
Not necessarily a name for God, but a way to talk about God without saying Adonai or "God"
יה
Yah
Shortened name of the tetragramaton
Short form of the Tetragrammaton; used in song, praise, and intimate invocation
יהוה
Yud-Hay-Vav-Hay
maybe related to the verb "to be"
Called "the Tetragrammaton," this is the ineffable name of God; there is no pronunciation - only the High Priest said this name on Yom Kippur in the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem
יהוה צבאות
Adonai Tzeva'ot
God of Hosts
Emphasizes God’s sovereignty over all powers, forces, and armies of heaven and earth. Common in Biblical and liturgical texts, especially in contexts of prayer for protection or deliverance
יי
no real pronunciation,
instead: Adonai
God
Not an official name for God, but a substitute for the Tetragrammaton
ירעה
Yireh
One who Sees
Often associated with God’s provision and foresight; famously used in Genesis 22:14, when Abraham names the site of the binding of Isaac Adonai Yireh
מורנו
Moreinu
Our Teacher
Used to describe God as the ultimate guide and instructor in Torah, ethics, and life
מלך מלכי המלכים
Melech Melachei Ha'Melachim
King of Kings
Highlights God’s supreme sovereignty above all earthly and spiritual rulers
מקור החיים
Makor HaChaim
Source of Life
Emphasizes God as the origin and sustainer of all life, both physical and spiritual
נשמת כל חי
Nishmat Kol Chai
Breath of All Life
Title of the medieval prayer Nishmat Kol Chai, praising God for life, creation, and the gift of the soul
עושה השלום
Oseh Ha'Shalom
The Maker of Peace
Concluding line of many Jewish prayers, especially in the Shabbat Amidah and Kaddish
צורי
Tzuri
My Rock
Frequently used in Psalms and prayers as a metaphor for God’s steadfast support
רבונו של עולם
Ribono Shel Olam
Master of the Universe
Common in Chassidic and contemporary liturgy, emphasizing God’s sovereignty over all creation
רוח
Ruach
Spirit
Refers to God’s life-giving spirit present in creation, prophecy, and inspiration
רוי
Ro'i
My Shepherd
Evokes God’s guidance, care, and protection. Most famously in Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
רופה
Rofeh
Healer
Invoked in prayers for healing and health, as in Mi Sheberach and other supplications
שכינה
Shechinah
Dwelling Presence
God's dwelling presence; the Shechinah is what dwelt among the Israelites in the desert when they built the Tabernacle