Babylonian names carry the weight of the oldest literate civilization on earth. These are names carved into clay tablets, spoken in the temples of Marduk, and borne by kings, priests, and ordinary merchants who lived along the Tigris and Euphrates thousands of years ago. If you are drawn to mythology, ancient history, or names that feel genuinely rare in a modern playground, this list is for you.
The names here come from Akkadian, Sumerian, and related ancient Mesopotamian traditions, the linguistic and cultural world of Babylon. Some are divine names, some belong to legendary rulers, some were common personal names in cuneiform records.
Babylonian Deity Names: The Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Mesopotamia
The Babylonian pantheon was vast and deeply personal. Deities were invoked in everyday names, and wearing a god’s name was considered an act of devotion and protection. These divine names were used by real people in ancient Mesopotamia and carry extraordinary mythological depth.
Marduk
The supreme deity of Babylon, Marduk was the patron god of the city itself and the king of the gods in the Babylonian creation epic, the Enuma Elish. The name likely derives from Akkadian amar-utumeaning “bull calf of the sun.” It is bold, striking, and carries the full weight of Babylonian mythology.
Ishtar
Ishtar is the Akkadian goddess of love, war, and fertility, the most prominent goddess in the entire Mesopotamian world. Her name appears in countless ancient personal names as a divine element. Ishtar has a fierce, magnetic quality that makes her name genuinely compelling even today.
Nabu
Nabu was the god of wisdom, writing, and scribes, the divine patron of literacy in ancient Babylon. His name means something close to “to speak” or “to announce” in Akkadian. Short, strong, and quietly intellectual, Nabu is one of the most usable ancient Babylonian names for a modern child.
Nanna
The Sumerian moon god, Nanna was one of the most ancient and beloved deities in Mesopotamia. The name predates Babylon itself, originating in Sumerian religious tradition. As a modern given name, Nanna also exists in Scandinavian cultures, giving it a surprising cross-cultural footing.
Ninlil
Ninlil was the Sumerian and Babylonian goddess of wind and air, consort of the chief god Enlil. Her name means “lady of the wind” or “lady of the air” in Sumerian. Elegant and ancient, Ninlil has a lyrical quality that sits surprisingly well as a given name.
Enlil
One of the oldest and most powerful gods of the Mesopotamian world, Enlil was lord of wind, air, earth, and storms. His name means roughly “lord of the wind” in Sumerian. Enlil is a strong, two-syllable name with a genuinely ancient pedigree.
Nergal
Nergal was the Babylonian god of the underworld and of plague, a fierce and powerful deity who ruled the land of the dead alongside his consort Ereshkigal. The name has a raw, dark energy that suits mythology lovers who want something truly unusual. It is attested as a personal name in ancient Mesopotamian records.
Adad
Adad was the Akkadian storm god, equivalent to the Sumerian Ishkur, and a major deity in the Babylonian pantheon. His name appears in countless ancient personal names and royal epithets. Adad is short, punchy, and unmistakably ancient.
Shamash
The Akkadian sun god, Shamash was the divine judge and god of justice, whose rays illuminated truth and exposed wrongdoing. He is depicted on the famous Code of Hammurabi stele, handing the laws to King Hammurabi. Shamash carries both solar and legal gravitas.
Tammuz
Tammuz was the Babylonian god of shepherds and vegetation, whose death and resurrection each year represented the cycle of the seasons. The name is Akkadian, derived from the Sumerian Dumuzi. Tammuz has a melodic, three-syllable flow and appears in the Hebrew calendar as a month name, giving it an unexpected living presence.
Ereshkigal
Queen of the underworld and one of the most powerful goddesses in Babylonian mythology, Ereshkigal’s name means “queen of the great earth” in Sumerian. It is long and dramatic, better suited to a character name or a middle name pairing than everyday use, but utterly unforgettable.
Nisaba
Nisaba was the Sumerian goddess of writing, grain, and scribal arts, one of the earliest patron deities of literacy in human history. Her name is Sumerian in origin and was used as a personal name in ancient texts. For a child born to book-loving parents, Nisaba is a genuinely meaningful choice.
Babylonian Royal Names: Kings and Queens of Ancient Mesopotamia
Babylon produced some of the most famous rulers in ancient history. Their names were not just royal titles but living legacies, carried forward by later generations who wanted to evoke that same power and prestige. Many of these royal Babylonian names appear in cuneiform records spanning centuries.
Hammurabi
The greatest lawgiver of the ancient world, Hammurabi ruled Babylon in the 18th century BCE and created one of the earliest surviving law codes in human history. His name is Amorite in origin, likely meaning something like “the kinsman is a healer.” Hammurabi is long and imposing, better as a namesake inspiration than an everyday name, but it has been used as a given name in some communities.
Nebuchadnezzar
One of the most famous names from the ancient world, Nebuchadnezzar II was the Babylonian king who built the Hanging Gardens and conquered Jerusalem. The name derives from Akkadian Nabu-kudurri-usurmeaning “Nabu, protect my eldest son.” Massive and magnificent, it is almost more mythological concept than practical name today, but it has genuine given-name history.
Nabopolassar
The founder of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and father of Nebuchadnezzar II, Nabopolassar’s name in Akkadian means “Nabu has protected the son.” It is a compound name honoring the god Nabu and represents the proud Babylonian tradition of theophoric naming.
Neriglissar
A Babylonian king of the 6th century BCE, Neriglissar ruled after Nebuchadnezzar’s successors. His name is Akkadian, derived from Nergal-shar-usurmeaning “Nergal, protect the king.” It has a rich, layered sound and a genuine place in Babylonian royal history.
Belshazzar
The last prince-regent of Babylon, Belshazzar is famous from the biblical account of the writing on the wall. His name in Akkadian is Bel-shar-usurmeaning “Bel, protect the king.” Belshazzar has a grand, ancient-sounding rhythm and is attested as a real historical figure in cuneiform records.
Sammu-ramat
A real Assyrian-Babylonian queen of the 9th century BCE who became the historical basis for the legendary figure of Semiramis, Sammu-ramat was a regent of remarkable power. Her name is Akkadian and appears in actual ancient inscriptions, making her one of the most historically grounded women in Mesopotamian history.
Kubaba
According to the Sumerian King List, Kubaba was the only woman to rule as a legitimate king in ancient Mesopotamia, described as a tavern keeper who became a great ruler. Her name later became associated with the goddess Cybele in Anatolia. Kubaba is short, striking, and carries an astonishing historical legacy.
Theophoric Babylonian Names: Names That Honor the Gods
The most common naming tradition in ancient Babylon was the theophoric name, a personal name that incorporated the name of a deity. These were not just religious statements but expressions of identity, hope, and divine protection. Many ordinary Babylonians, not just kings, bore names like these in cuneiform business and legal records.
Nabu-nasir
Meaning “Nabu is protector” in Akkadian, Nabu-nasir was a real Babylonian king of the 8th century BCE. The name is a classic theophoric construction honoring the god of wisdom and writing. It is historically attested and carries a quiet, scholarly energy.
Marduk-apla-iddina
Known in the Bible as Merodach-baladan, this was a real Babylonian king who twice ruled Babylon and resisted Assyrian domination. The name means “Marduk has given an heir” in Akkadian. It is a magnificent compound name with deep historical grounding.
Ishtar-ummi
Meaning “Ishtar is my mother” in Akkadian, this was a real personal name attested in Babylonian records. It represents the deeply personal relationship ordinary Babylonians had with their patron deities. The name is feminine in character and unusual by any modern standard.
Nabu-shum-ukin
An Akkadian name meaning “Nabu has established the name,” this was borne by multiple Babylonian kings and officials. It reflects the Babylonian belief that one’s name was a living, sacred thing that needed divine protection. A layered, historically rich compound name.
Bel-ibni
Meaning “Bel has created” in Akkadian, Bel-ibni was a real Babylonian ruler installed by the Assyrian king Sennacherib. The name honors Bel, the great lord, a title used for Marduk in his highest aspect. Clean and strong for a compound ancient name.
Adad-nirari
Meaning “Adad is my helper” in Akkadian, Adad-nirari was the name of several Assyro-Babylonian kings. It honors the storm god Adad and expresses the protective relationship between deity and worshipper. A powerful, historically attested compound name.
Sumerian Names from the Deep Roots of Babylonian Culture
Babylon was built on the foundation of Sumerian civilization, and many Babylonian names have Sumerian origins that predate the Akkadian empire entirely. These names come from the very earliest layer of human written history and carry an almost incomprehensible antiquity.
Ur-Namma
The founder of the Third Dynasty of Ur and author of the oldest surviving law code in history, Ur-Namma’s name means “the light of Namma” or “warrior of Namma” in Sumerian. He is a towering figure in ancient Mesopotamian history and his name has genuine given-name status in ancient records.
Dumuzi
The Sumerian shepherd-god of fertility and the husband of Inanna, Dumuzi’s name means “the good son” or “the faithful son” in Sumerian. His myth of death and resurrection is one of the oldest dying-and-rising god narratives in human history. Dumuzi has a lyrical, flowing sound and deep mythological resonance.
Inanna
The great Sumerian goddess of love, war, and political power, Inanna is the forerunner of Ishtar and one of the most important deities in all of ancient religion. Her name means “lady of heaven” in Sumerian. Inanna is beautiful, accessible, and carries the full force of the oldest goddess traditions in human history.
Gilgamesh
The legendary king of Uruk and hero of the world’s oldest surviving epic, Gilgamesh’s name in Sumerian likely means “the old man is a young man” or “the ancestor is a hero.” He is one of the most vivid personalities in all ancient literature. As a given name, Gilgamesh is a bold, unmistakable statement of mythological passion.
Enkidu
The wild companion of Gilgamesh in the ancient epic, Enkidu was created from clay by the gods as a counterpart to the king. His name in Sumerian-Akkadian means something like “lord of the good place” or “creation of Enki.” Enkidu is a genuinely usable name with a compelling mythological story behind it.
Enki
One of the most beloved Sumerian gods, Enki was the god of wisdom, fresh water, magic, and crafts. His name means “lord of the earth” or “lord of the abzu” in Sumerian. Short, strong, and deeply ancient, Enki has a crisp modern sound while carrying extraordinary mythological depth.
Lugalbanda
A legendary king of Uruk and the divine father of Gilgamesh in Sumerian tradition, Lugalbanda’s name means “the young king” in Sumerian. He is the subject of two Sumerian literary compositions and was worshipped as a god after his death. An unusual but historically grounded choice for mythology enthusiasts.
Ninsun
The divine mother of Gilgamesh in the epic, Ninsun was a minor Sumerian goddess whose name means “lady of the wild cows” in Sumerian. She was known for her wisdom and was invoked as a protective maternal figure. Ninsun has a soft, elegant sound and a meaningful mythological story.
Utnapishtim
The Babylonian flood hero of the Gilgamesh Epic, Utnapishtim received immortality from the gods after surviving the great deluge, becoming a direct precursor to the biblical Noah. His name in Akkadian means “he found life” or “he who found everlasting life.” Long and dramatic, it is a character name of the highest mythological order.
Ziusudra
The Sumerian flood hero, Ziusudra’s name means “life of long days” in Sumerian. He is the earliest version of the flood survivor narrative that later became Utnapishtim and ultimately Noah. A powerful name for parents drawn to the very oldest layers of human storytelling.
Akkadian Personal Names from Historical Records
Beyond the kings and gods, ordinary Babylonians had names too, and thousands of them survive in clay tablet archives recording business transactions, legal disputes, and temple records. These names were used by real people living real lives in ancient Mesopotamia.
Iltani
An Akkadian feminine name meaning “she is my god” or “my goddess,” Iltani appears in the archives of Old Babylonian merchants and officials. It has a warm, personal sound and represents the intimate relationship ordinary Babylonians had with the divine. One of the more usable ancient Babylonian names for a modern girl.
Warad-Sin
Meaning “servant of the moon god Sin” in Akkadian, Warad-Sin was a real king of Larsa in the Old Babylonian period. His name reflects the classic theophoric pattern and honors the moon deity. A striking compound with genuine historical weight.
Imgur-Enlil
An Akkadian name meaning “Enlil showed favor” or “Enlil was gracious,” this was the name of the inner wall of Babylon and appears in ancient personal name records. It is one of those Babylonian names that functions simultaneously as a monument name and a given name.
Amat-Marduk
A feminine Akkadian name meaning “servant woman of Marduk,” Amat-Marduk appears in Old Babylonian records as a real personal name. It is deeply devotional in character and reflects the prominence of the god Marduk in Babylonian religious life.
Tattannu
An Akkadian personal name attested in Neo-Babylonian administrative records, Tattannu was a real name used by ordinary Babylonians. It has an unusual, almost playful sound that sets it apart from the more imposing compound names of the royal tradition.
Samas-uballit
An Akkadian name meaning “Shamash has kept alive,” this type of name was extremely common among ordinary Babylonians who honored the sun god in their children’s names. It reflects the theophoric tradition in everyday, non-royal use.
Names from Babylonian Mythology and Epic Literature
The great literary works of ancient Babylon, including the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and the myth of Atrahasis, are filled with names that were used as real personal names by ancient peoples. These are the names that lived inside the stories every Babylonian child grew up hearing.
Tiamat
The primordial salt-water dragon goddess of the Babylonian creation myth, Tiamat was slain by Marduk and her body used to form the heavens and the earth. Her name is Akkadian, connected to the word for sea. Tiamat is dramatic, powerful, and unmistakably mythological, and has been used as a given name by mythology enthusiasts.
Apsu
The primordial freshwater god and consort of Tiamat in the Enuma Elish, Apsu’s name is connected to the Sumerian abzumeaning “deep water” or “abyss.” Short and elemental, Apsu has a striking simplicity that contrasts with the enormous mythological role it plays.
Kingu
The consort and general of Tiamat in the Babylonian creation epic, Kingu was given the Tablet of Destinies and led Tiamat’s army. After his defeat, the gods used his blood to create humanity. His name is Akkadian and carries an extraordinary mythological significance as a direct ancestor of humankind in ancient Babylonian belief.
Atrahasis
The hero of one of the oldest flood narratives in human literature, Atrahasis was warned by the god Enki to build a boat and survive the gods’ destruction of humanity. His name in Akkadian means “exceedingly wise.” Atrahasis is a compelling, deeply historical name for parents who want something genuinely ancient and literary.
Anzu
The great divine eagle-lion of Babylonian mythology, Anzu stole the Tablet of Destinies from Enlil and was eventually defeated by the hero Ninurta. The name is Sumerian-Akkadian in origin. Anzu is short, striking, and has a clean modern sound while being rooted in genuinely ancient myth.
Ninurta
The Babylonian and Sumerian god of war, hunting, and the south wind, Ninurta was the great heroic deity who defeated Anzu and the demon Asag. His name means “lord of the earth” in Sumerian. Ninurta has a strong, martial sound and a rich mythological biography.
Ninhursag
One of the most ancient Sumerian mother goddesses, Ninhursag’s name means “lady of the sacred mountain” or “lady of the foothills.” She was one of the seven great deities of Sumer and appears in the earliest mythological texts. A long, layered feminine name with extraordinary antiquity.
How to Choose a Babylonian Name
The first thing to consider is sound versus history. Some Babylonian names, like Inanna, Nabu, Enki, or Tammuz, have a sound that translates naturally into modern use. Others, like Nebuchadnezzar or Marduk-apla-iddina, are magnificent as historical touchstones but ask a lot of a child navigating a modern school. Think honestly about the name your child will actually use day to day.
Consider what draws you to this tradition in the first place. If it is mythology, the divine names and epic literary names will feel most alive. If it is history, the royal names and theophoric personal names carry real human stories behind them. If it is pure sound and rarity, the shorter Akkadian and Sumerian names, Adad, Nabu, Enki, Anzu, Kubaba, offer something genuinely unusual without requiring a pronunciation guide at every introduction.
Nickname potential matters with long compound names. Nebuchadnezzar becomes Nebu. Ninhursag becomes Nina. Gilgamesh becomes Gil. Many of these ancient names have a natural short form that makes them livable, so do not rule out a longer name just because of its full length.
Finally, think about meaning and legacy. Babylonian theophoric names were chosen to place a child under divine protection, to declare devotion, and to root a new life in the oldest human traditions of meaning-making. Choosing one of these names is a quiet act of connection to the very beginning of written human history, and that is worth something.
Babylonian names are rare, historically grounded, and carry a depth that no invented or trend-driven name can match. Whether you are naming a child, a character, or simply exploring the ancient world, these names are a direct thread back to the first cities, the first writing, and the first stories humanity ever told itself.
