Moriah

Meaning of Moriah

Moriah (pronounced muh-RYE-uh /mə.ˈraɪ.ə/) is a feminine given name of Hebrew derivation whose semantic field is debated but commonly rendered as “Yahweh provides,” “seen by the Lord,” or, more generally, “divine providence.” In the Hebrew Bible, Moriah designates the mountainous region where Abraham’s binding of Isaac is said to have occurred (Genesis 22) and, in later tradition, the site on which Solomon erected the First Temple, so the name carries enduring associations with covenantal faith, sacrificial devotion, and sacred place. Introduced into English usage through the Reformation’s renewed interest in Old Testament topography and subsequently preserved within Anglo-American Nonconformist circles, Moriah has maintained a modest yet conspicuous presence in United States vital statistics, fluctuating between the mid-500s and mid-700s in national popularity since the late 1990s and registering 195 births at rank 755 in 2024. The name therefore occupies a linguistic and cultural niche that appeals to parents who seek a biblically resonant choice whose historical depth and theological nuance set it apart from more ubiquitous appellations.