theophory

T1H4E1O1P3H4O1R1Y4

noun

The property of bearing the name of a deity.

OriginAncient Greek θεόφορος →
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Meanings

nountheophory (uncountable)
  1. uncountableusuallygiven namesThe property of bearing the name of a deity.

    Micah is the name of several people in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), and means "Who is like God?" The name is sometimes found with theophoric extensions. Suffix theophory in Yah and in Yahweh results in Michaiah or Michaihu. Suffix theophory in El results in Michael.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekθεόφορος“bearing a god”
  2. Englishtheophory

From Ancient Greek θεόφορος (theóphoros, “bearing a god”) + -y.

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

theophory. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/theophory

MLA

“theophory.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/theophory. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “theophory,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/theophory.

Source: theophory on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.