As a scholar in religious studies with a focus on Christianity, I am well-versed in the historical and linguistic aspects of religious figures. The question of the real name of Jesus is a topic that has been the subject of scholarly debate and theological interpretation for centuries.

The name "Jesus" is indeed derived from the Greek spelling "Iesous," which itself is a transliteration of the Hebrew name "Yeshua" (ישוע). This name is found in the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, and is used to refer to various individuals within the text. The Latin form of the name, "Iesus," was then adopted into English as "Jesus."

However, it is important to note that the Hebrew name "Yeshua" is not universally accepted as the original name of Jesus. Some scholars argue that the name could have been "Yeshu" (ישו), which is a shorter form and does not include the final "a" sound. This shorter form is still common in Hebrew-speaking communities today. The inclusion of the "a" at the end in "Yeshua" may be a later addition, influenced by the Greek and Latin forms of the name.

The name "Yeshua" is significant in that it means "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh saves." This meaning is consistent with the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus as the Messiah, the one who brings salvation to humanity. The name itself carries theological weight and is reflective of the beliefs and expectations placed upon Jesus in Christian theology.

It is also worth mentioning that in the Aramaic language, which was commonly spoken by Jews in the region during the time of Jesus, the name would have been "Yeshu'a" (ܝܶܫܘܥ). Aramaic was the language of the Talmud and is considered to have been the vernacular of Jesus and his disciples.

In terms of the historical Jesus, the name he was known by would have depended on the language and cultural context of those referring to him. In the Hebrew Bible, the name "Yeshua" appears in later books, as mentioned in the reference material. However, the exact form of the name used by Jesus' contemporaries remains a subject of scholarly discussion.

In summary, while the English name "Jesus" is widely recognized and used, the original name of Jesus in its Hebrew form is more likely to have been "Yeshua" or a variant thereof. The name carries significant meaning and reflects the theological significance attributed to Jesus in Christian belief.

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--The name corresponds to the Greek spelling Iesous, from which, through the Latin Iesus, comes the English spelling Jesus. The Hebrew spelling Yeshua (????) appears in some later books of the Hebrew Bible.-- Jesus is just the English translation of Jesus' original Hebrew name, Yeshua.read more >>