Skip to main content
    Biblical Name · Greek Origin

    Hermes Meaning in the Bible

    Hermes

    boy

    Hermes means "Messenger; Interpreter; Herald", a boy's name of Greek origin. Hermes appears in the King James Bible, and Romans 16:14 is the passage most often tied to it. Hermes — bearing a pagan god's name yet following Christ — demonstrates that the Gospel transforms identities from the inside out. Our names and backgrounds are redeemed, not erased, by faith.

    Is Hermes in the Bible?

    Yes — Hermes appears in the King James Bible, including Romans 16:14.

    Pronunciation:/HUR-meez/
    OriginGreek
    MeaningMessenger; Interpreter; Herald
    What does Hermes mean?

    Hermes is a boy name of Greek origin meaning "Messenger; Interpreter; Herald". Hermes means "messenger" or "herald" in Greek. In Romans 16:14, Paul greets "Hermes" as one of several believers in Rome — a Christian who bore the name of the Greek messenger god yet served the one true God.

    Which Bible Character Are You?

    Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.

    One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.

    Take the quiz

    What does Hermes mean in the Bible?

    Hermes means "Messenger; Interpreter; Herald" and is a name of Greek origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.

    Hermes means "messenger" or "herald" in Greek. In Romans 16:14, Paul greets "Hermes" as one of several believers in Rome — a Christian who bore the name of the Greek messenger god yet served the one true God.

    The name Hermes appears in another fascinating context in Acts 14. When Paul healed a lame man in Lystra, the crowds called Barnabas "Jupiter" (Zeus) and Paul "Mercurius" (Hermes) — "because he was the chief speaker." The association of Paul with Hermes/Mercury was based on Paul's eloquent preaching, since Hermes was considered the patron of communication and interpretation.

    Paul and Barnabas were horrified and tore their clothes: "Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God." This dramatic rejection of divine honors models the appropriate response when human ministry is confused with divine power.

    The Christian Hermes in Rome, bearing a pagan god's name yet serving Christ, embodies the early church's power to transform cultural identities — keeping the name while completely redefining its allegiance.

    Where does Hermes appear in the Bible (KJV)?

    Hermes is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Romans 16:14. Each verse is quoted in full below.

    "Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them."
    "And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker."

    Take the KJV Bible with You

    Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.

    Download Free KJV PDF

    What are the variants and nicknames of Hermes?

    Hermes has 1 recorded variant, short form, and translation across languages and biblical traditions.

    Variants & related forms

    Which books of the Bible mention Hermes?

    Hermes is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.

    What is the spiritual meaning of Hermes?

    Hermes — bearing a pagan god's name yet following Christ — demonstrates that the Gospel transforms identities from the inside out. Our names and backgrounds are redeemed, not erased, by faith.

    Related Promises of God

    Promises connected to the meaning of the name Hermes:

    Related Reading

    Continue your study with related content from across our library:

    What names are related to Hermes?

    Names like Hermes

    Other Greek biblical names that share the spirit of "Messenger; Interpreter; Herald" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.

    Names that pair well with Hermes

    Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.

    Share the meaning of Hermes

    Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.

    Hermes name meaning: frequently asked questions

    Yes — Hermes appears in the King James Bible, including Romans 16:14.

    Hermes means "Messenger; Interpreter; Herald." It is a Greek name. The King James Bible uses it in Romans 16:14, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.

    Greek. Hermes comes into English from Greek and carries the sense "Messenger; Interpreter; Herald." It appears in the King James Bible, including Romans 16:14.

    Common questions about the name Hermes

    Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Hermes?

    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 Hermes?

    You can read every verse where Hermes 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.