What Is God’s Real Name?

Why do we call God “God”? Is that his real name, or is it just a title?

In the Bible, God is actually described with many different names. Each one opens a window into his character—his strength, his compassion, his faithfulness, and his presence with us.

The Names of God and What They Mean

Unlike people, God isn’t limited to one name. He has many names that reveal who he is.

The Name God Gave Himself: Yahweh

“When Moses asked for God's name, God responded, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’” Exodus 3:14

If you’ve ever looked for God’s “real name,” the closest answer the Bible gives is Yahweh.

When Moses encountered God in the burning bush and asked his name, God replied, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14).

The name Yahweh comes from that phrase. In Hebrew, it’s spelled “YHWH”—sometimes called the tetragrammaton—and most English Bibles translate it as “LORD”, written in all caps.

The name Yahweh points to God’s eternal, unchanging nature. He simply is. He doesn’t depend on anyone or anything. He has no beginning and no end. Yahweh is the God who was, who is, and who will always be. This is the name God chose to reveal his identity.

Other Names of God in the Bible

Throughout the Bible, people also call God by other names that highlight aspects of his character. These names aren’t different gods—they are different angles on the same God, helping us see who he is and how he works.

Elohim: “God, Mighty Creator”

“In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

The Bible opens with “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The name Elohim emphasizes God’s power and sovereignty. He speaks—and worlds form.

El Shaddai: “God Almighty”

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.” Genesis 17:1

When God made a covenant with Abraham, he revealed himself as El Shaddai, the God who is mighty enough to keep every promise he makes.

Yahweh Jireh: “The Lord Will Provide”

“Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means ‘the LORD will provide’). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: ‘On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.’” Genesis 22:14

Abraham gave God the name Yahweh Jireh (sometimes spelled “Yireh”) after God provided a ram to sacrifice in place of his son, Isaac. (If you’ve never heard that story, it’s powerful! You can read it in full in Genesis 22.) It’s a reminder that God sees our needs and provides in ways we could never orchestrate on our own.

Yahweh Rapha: “The Lord Who Heals”

“He said, ‘If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you.’” Exodus 15:26

Here, God describes himself as Yahweh Rapha, the healer—someone who restores what’s broken physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Yahweh Shalom: “The Lord Is Peace”

“And Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means ‘the LORD is peace’). The altar remains in Ophrah in the land of the clan of Abiezer to this day.” Judges 6:24

Gideon used this name when God met him in a moment of fear. God didn’t just give peace—he was peace.

Jesus and the Name of God

The name of Jesus is also an extension of God’s character. The name Jesus—or Yeshua in Hebrew—means “The Lord saves.”

Jesus, in his name and his entire being, embodied God and his saving nature. In John 14:9, Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

In other words, if you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.

The New Testament writers even call Jesus Lord, the same title used for Yahweh in the Old Testament. They understood that Jesus wasn’t simply a messenger—he was God himself, stepping into our world to save us. Through Jesus, we see God’s character in full, and we’re invited to know him personally.

What Does This Mean for Us?

God introduced himself in the Bible as Yahweh, but throughout the Bible he’s known by many names that describe his power, love, and faithfulness.

He is:

Creator (Elohim)

Almighty (El Shaddai)

Provider (Yahweh Jireh)

Healer (Yahweh Rapha)

Peace (Yahweh Shalom)

Savior (Jesus/Yeshua)

Knowing God’s names helps us understand who he is and how he loves, leads, and works in our lives. Instead of focusing on one official name, we’re invited to know God by his character.

But the most important name we can give God? Father. Because that’s who he is—a loving father who heals your wounds, gives you your identity, and calls you his own.

-----

God has names for you, too! Here are 10 names God gives you in the Bible. See what he calls you and how that can shape your identity.

-----

LCBC stands for Lives Changed By Christ. We are one church in multiple locations across Pennsylvania. Find the location closest to you or join us for Church Online. We can’t wait to connect with you!