FAQ

Your question stems from the idea that a name is a single and, if possible, unique identifier associated with one and only one person, distinguishing them from others like them. In this sense, it is obvious that this concept is inapplicable to God: He is One, and there are none like Him, therefore His name does not serve to "distinguish Him from others." In this case, "real name" is not an accurate expression.

Rather, in the ancient understanding of the word "name," one can speak of a word that reflects something essentially important about the nature of the one who bears it. However, the nature of God is incomprehensible to us; much less is it possible to express it in a single way through a "real name" that would be better than other, "unreal" ones. Obviously, there are at least several names related to the nature of God. It is important that such names of God, reflecting the incomprehensible mystery of His being, can be revealed to people only by God Himself. There are several such appellations for God, the chief among them being Yahweh ("I Am"). This name was revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai about 3,500 years ago. Its meaning is multifaceted, and it is quite difficult to translate it unambiguously into English. You can read more about it in the article "The Revelation of God at the Burning Bush" (RU). The name Yahweh is the sacred name of God; in medieval times, by replacing the vowels (this linguistic operation is possible due to the unique characteristics of the Hebrew language), the word "Jehovah" was formed from it, which was quite widely used instead of the name "Yahweh." Moreover, it is fundamentally important that "Yahweh" is a name that God Himself revealed to people in response to Moses' direct question.

Furthermore, in this sense, the word "God" itself is a name (more precisely, of course, the expression "the One (only) God"). This word is perhaps the most universal for all three monotheistic religions. Besides this, throughout human history, people have used a name for God that reflects the fact of His boundless authority over the world He created. In the English language, this word is "Lord". Finally, exceptionally important in this sense is the name that God takes upon the Incarnation: "Jesus." In translation, it means "God is Savior." It reflects what is most important for us in the incomprehensible nature of God. In addition, the nature of God is also reflected in the word "Trinity" and its corresponding expression "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Such naming is based on the unique revelation of the New Testament and has become one of the most important for Christians.

From a functional point of view, the name of God is a means of communion given by God Himself, a way of addressing Him. A "real" name in this sense would be an appellation to which God responds when we turn to Him. Obviously, such an appellation does not have to be singular. All the above-mentioned names of God can be used in this capacity, and the choice between them is up to the individual. In communion with God, each of us addresses the name that is closer to us at the given moment.

However, in addition to all this, the biblical tradition treats the name of God as some not fully explicable form of His presence within us, among us, in our lives and prayers. All three monotheistic traditions contain such an attitude toward the name of God, although for Christians this is more characteristic. The experience of the spiritual life and prayer of countless generations of Christians testifies that in this sense, the name in which God Himself is mysteriously present in our prayer is Jesus.