You are to give him the name Jesus.
—Luke 1:31
Newborns are often named for a person or circumstance that is meaningful to the parents. A New York Times article cited a lady who had just given birth to her thirteenth child. Asked his name, she said, “His name is Enough.”
God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. Abraham means “father of many.”
When Abraham and Sarah’s promised child was born, the elderly Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter. She named their son Isaac, meaning “he laughs” or “laughter.”
Joseph, informed about the impending birth of our Lord, was told, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21). Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means “the Lord saves.”
Jesus was named for
what he does—he saves.