Jesus Family Names: Exploring Naming Customs of Jesus' Era

It’s common to hear the name “Jesus Christ,” leading some to wonder if “Christ” is Jesus’ last name. This idea prompts questions about Jesus’ family names and the naming conventions during his lifetime. Understanding this requires a look into historical context and the significance of the name “Christ” itself.

The term “Christ” isn’t a surname but a title. Originating from the Greek word Christos, it translates to “Anointed One” or “Chosen One.” Its Hebrew equivalent is Messiah. Therefore, when the Bible mentions “Jesus Christ,” it affirms Jesus as the Messiah, God’s chosen one. This is emphasized in scriptures like 2 Peter 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Jude 1:1, and Revelation 1:1.

To clarify this distinction, Acts 18:5 highlights Paul’s mission: “Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.” Paul’s preaching aimed to prove that Jesus, the man known by that name, was indeed the prophesied Messiah. Jesus fulfilled the messianic role foretold in the Law and the Prophets.

During Jesus’ time, people didn’t use last names as we do today. Instead, individuals were identified through various methods, especially when they had common first names, and “Jesus” was indeed a prevalent name. One common way to distinguish people was by stating their father’s name. For example, in the Bible, we see individuals like “Levi the son of Alphaeus” (Mark 2:14), “James the son of Zebedee” (Mark 3:17), and “Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus” (Mark 10:46). This patronymic system helped differentiate individuals within communities.

Another frequent identifier was a person’s hometown. Jesus himself was often referred to as “Jesus of Nazareth” (Mark 10:47; Luke 24:19; John 18:5). This locational identifier was a practical way to distinguish people, especially when they traveled or lived in larger regions. Other examples include “Lucius of Cyrene” (Acts 13:1), “Mary Magdalene” (Matthew 27:56), and “Judas Iscariot” (Matthew 10:4), where their hometown or region became part of their identification.

Nicknames also served to differentiate individuals with the same name. Among Jesus’ disciples, there were two named Simon. To tell them apart, Jesus gave one the nickname Peter (John 1:42), and the other was known as “Simon the Zealot” (Matthew 10:4). These descriptive names added another layer of identification in everyday interactions.

While “Christ” wasn’t Jesus’ last name, referring to him as “Jesus Christ” is profoundly significant. It’s a declaration of his divine mission and role in salvation. He carries numerous titles reflecting his multifaceted identity. The angel Gabriel announced to Mary that her son would “be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). The prophet Isaiah foretold he would be called “Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Others recognized him as the “Son of David” (Matthew 15:22), acknowledging his lineage and messianic expectations. Ultimately, regardless of the title used, the core message remains: “there is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NLT). Jesus is given “the name that is above every name,” so that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9–11, BSB).