Messiah

Messiah is a given name which has only just recently come into circulation. Of course most people are aware that Messiah is the title traditionally given to Jesus Christ by Christians. The word is actually Hebrew in origin (Mašíaḥ) and means “anointed”. It is also not specific to Christians; the concept of the messiah is used among people of all major religions to signify a savior or liberator of their own people (Christians, Jews, Muslims, etc.). Originating with the Hebrews scores of centuries before Christ, messiahs were those monarchs or priests anointed with holy oil. Later Jewish beliefs held that “the” messiah will be anointed by God and come to rule the united tribes as a single future King of Israel descended from David (ushering in the Messianic Age). Of course the Christians believe that “the” messiah has already arrived in the form of Jesus Christ (Jesus got the title “Khristós” from the Greeks which means exactly the same thing as Messiah, i.e., “anointed”). Since Christians believe Jesus to be their savior and redeemer, the terms Christ and Messiah are essentially used synonymously. Muslims believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah to the Israelites and that he will return again to earth and join the Islamic al-Mahdi in defeating the Antichrist and ridding the world of all wickedness. In essence, the word Messiah is important to all the major monotheistic religions. Everyone is trying to get to the same place in the end (i.e., paradise on earth), which is a peaceful notion. They just have different viewpoints on who that leader (Messiah) is or will be – but in each case, their own people reign supreme in the eyes of their God. In any case, the term Messiah is pretty heavy and holy so we were quite surprised to see the name be given to modern baby boys. Then again, Salvador and Salvatore are the Spanish and Italian equivalents to the word “savior” which essentially means the same thing to Christians as Messiah. Spanish-speakers have a long history of using the name Jesús, as well. However, English-speakers have historically displayed a fair amount of discomfort with such names they have considered too holy for use. It appears they may be lightening up on this rule.