Abraham

Traditionally “father of many”; a biblical interpretation rather than a certain literal derivation.

Abraham is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, traditionally understood as “father of many”. The wording belongs to the biblical story: in Genesis, Abram receives the name Abraham alongside a promise of many descendants. It is worth separating that familiar interpretation from the older linguistic explanation connecting the name with “the father is exalted”. The spelling travels more easily than the pronunciation. English begins with the vowel of “day”, while German begins with a long a. In French and Spanish, the h is silent. Ibrahim is the corresponding Arabic form, rather than another way to pronounce the English name. With its broad opening and soft final m, Abraham can feel substantial without sounding abrupt. The full form has a deliberate, formal rhythm; that may be part of its appeal if you enjoy a name with room to unfold and a visible connection to an old story.

Etymology: From Hebrew אַבְרָהָם (Avraham), related to Abram. “The father is exalted” is another explanation of its underlying meaning.