"Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Abraham Meaning in the Bible
Abraham
boy
Abraham means “father of many nations.” God changed his name from Abram in Genesis 17 as the covenant sign of descendants, kings and blessing to the nations.
Is Abraham in the Bible?
Yes — Abraham appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 17:5.
Pronunciation:/AY-bruh-ham/
What does Abraham mean?
Abraham is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Father of many nations". Abraham means "father of many nations," a name given by God Himself when He changed Abram's name as part of the covenant promise.
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Editor’s reflection
'Father of a multitude' — a name given to a childless man of ninety-nine.
Abram (אַבְרָם) means 'exalted father.' In Genesis 17:5 God expands it: 'Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.' The added syllable is generally connected to hamon, 'multitude.' The timing is the scandal of the passage — he was ninety-nine and had one son, by a servant.
Everything about Abraham's story runs on a promise that stays unfulfilled for decades. Genesis 15:6 gives the verse Paul builds his entire doctrine of justification on: 'And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness' (quoted in Romans 4, Galatians 3, and James 2). Faith is credited before Isaac exists.
Genesis 22 — the binding of Isaac — is the hardest chapter in the Pentateuch and has been read and re-read for three thousand years without being made comfortable. The site is named Jehovah-jireh, 'the LORD will provide,' and the ram caught in the thicket has been read as a foreshadowing of substitution ever since.
He is the shared patriarch of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, called 'the Friend of God' in James 2:23. In modern English the name carries a second weight — Lincoln — and has climbed steadily since the 1990s. Abe and Bram give it two very different textures.
“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
Why parents choose Abraham today
- •Patriarch shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
- •Name given directly by God as part of the covenant promise
- •Called 'the Friend of God' in James 2:23
- •Carries the additional weight of Abraham Lincoln in English use
What does Abraham mean in the Bible?
Abraham means "Father of many nations" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Abraham means "father of many nations," a name given by God Himself when He changed Abram's name as part of the covenant promise. This new name was a prophetic declaration — at a time when Abraham and Sarah had no children, God declared he would become the father of multitudes.
Abraham's journey of faith began when God called him to leave his homeland in Ur of the Chaldees and travel to an unknown land. His willingness to obey this call is celebrated in Hebrews 11 as a defining act of faith. Through decades of waiting, Abraham clung to God's promise of a son.
The ultimate test of Abraham's faith came when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham's obedience, and God's provision of a substitute ram, foreshadowed the sacrifice of Christ. Abraham is honored as the father of faith by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.
Where does Abraham appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Abraham is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 17:5. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Abraham?
Abraham has 5 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Avraham
Ibrahim
Common nicknames
Abram
Abe
Bram
Who was Abraham in the Bible?
Abraham is most closely associated with the Bible character of the same name. Their story is the reason the name carries the weight it does.
Read About Abraham in the BibleWhich books of the Bible mention Abraham?
Abraham is mentioned across 5 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Abraham?
Abraham's God-given name is a promise fulfilled. His life teaches us that faith is believing God's word even when circumstances seem impossible — and that obedience unlocks blessings beyond imagination.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Abraham:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
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What names are related to Abraham?
Names like Abraham
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Father of many nations" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Abraham
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Eliana
girl
"My God has answered"
Abraham & Eliana
Rebecca
girl
"To bind or captivate"
Abraham & Rebecca
Abigail
girl
"Father's joy; Source of joy"
Abraham & Abigail
Abigail
girl
"Father of joy"
Abraham & Abigail
Abijah
unisex
"My father is the LORD; The LORD is my father"
Abraham & Abijah
Amaris
girl
"Promised by God; Given by God"
Abraham & Amaris
Share the meaning of Abraham
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Abraham name meaning: frequently asked questions
Genesis 17:5 records the change at the establishment of the covenant of circumcision: Abram, 'exalted father,' becomes Abraham, explained as 'father of many nations.' The new name was a standing declaration of a promise he could not yet see fulfilled — he was ninety-nine, and Isaac would not be born for another year.
Yes — Abraham appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 17:5.
Abraham means "Father of many nations." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 17:5, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Abraham
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Abraham?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Abraham?
You can read every verse where Abraham appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.