Abihu
Abihu Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ə.ˈbaɪ.hju/
Meaning of Abihu: Abihu is a Hebrew biblical name composed of avi (אבי, my father) and hu (הוא, he), meaning “he is my father.” In the Old Testament, Abihu is the second son of the High Priest Aaron and nephew of Moses.
He and his older brother Nadab were among the select group who accompanied Moses, Aaron, and the seventy elders up the mountain to see God (Exodus 24:1).
Abihu and Nadab were both killed by “fire from before the Lord” after offering unauthorized or “strange” fire during a ritual (Leviticus 10:1–2). This event is one of the most discussed passages in Leviticus regarding the consequences of improper worship.
What Does Abihu Mean? Origin & Etymology
Biblical commentators have offered multiple interpretations: strict ritual compliance, a consequence of approaching God while intoxicated (the prohibition on priestly drinking follows immediately in Leviticus 10:9), or a warning about priestly presumption and overreach.
The name belongs to the same avi- theophoric cluster as Abner, Abiel, Abihail, and Absalom. These names declared the divine as a father figure and reflected the covenant relationship between God and the Israelite people. Abihu’s specific formulation—“he is my father”—is particularly intimate in its expression of divine parenthood.
Abihu is extremely rare as a modern given name. It appears in genealogical records from Puritan New England, where parents drew names from the full breadth of the Old Testament without regard to the narrative outcome of those names.
In contemporary use, it is occasionally chosen by families seeking rare biblical names with precise Hebrew meanings.
According to SSA records, Abihu does not rank in the US top 1000. The name is primarily of interest to scholars of Hebrew onomastics and to families engaged in deep Old Testament biblical naming traditions.
Numerology & Symbolism of Abihu
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Abihu – Similar Names & Alternatives
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity
Frequently Asked Questions about Abihu
What does Abihu mean?
Abihu is Hebrew 'he is my father' meaning father; This is the name of a son of Aaron in the Old Testament ..
How popular is Abihu?
Abihu is rarely used in the United States but maintains its standing in Biblical. SSA records show no significant US ranking for this name.
How do you pronounce Abihu?
Abihu is pronounced /ə.ˈbaɪ.hju/. The name originates in Biblical tradition.
What are variants of Abihu?
Abihu has related forms in other languages: Avihu (Biblical Hebrew), Avihu (Hebrew). These variants all share the same root and meaning.