Enoch
/ˈiː.nək/
Enoch comes from the Hebrew Chanokh, meaning “dedicated” or “trained.” In Genesis, Enoch was the son of Cain who built the first city, and separately, the father of Methuselah who “walked with God.”
The Book of Enoch, an ancient Jewish text excluded from most biblical canons, expanded the figure’s mystical reputation. Ethiopian Orthodox Christians include it in their scripture.
SSA records show Enoch peaked at No. 202 in 1880 with 60 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 718 with 367 births, its modern count far surpassing 19th-century totals.
What the name Enoch means
Poet Alfred Lord Tennyson’s Enoch Arden (1864) made the name literary. In the animated series The Promised Neverland, a character named Enoch introduced it to younger audiences.
Two syllables—EE-nuk—are compact and distinctive. The long opening vowel followed by a velar stop gives the name an ancient, uncompromising sound.
Parents drawn to Enoch value its biblical depth and rarity. It stands apart from the more common Noah and Elijah while sharing their spiritual weight.
The name’s association with someone who never died—God “took him” according to Genesis—adds a layer of mystery that few biblical names can match.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Enoch
Enoch - similar names
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