Avraham is the Hebrew form of Abraham, a foundational patriarch in the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Derived from the Hebrew name אַבְרָהָם (ʾAvraham), it likely means "father of many" or is interpreted as a contraction of Abram and the Hebrew word הָמוֹן (hamon) meaning "multitude." The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where the patriarch was originally named Abram but had his name changed by God to signify his role as the father of many nations, as recounted in Genesis 17:5. Biblical and Religious Significance According to the biblical narrative, Abraham (Avraham) was born in Ur of the Chaldees and, with his father Terah, led his wife Sarah, his nephew Lot, and followers to Canaan. He established a covenant with God, marked by circumcision. Avraham is revered in Judaism as the first Hebrew patriarch and the founder of the covenantal relationship between the Jewish people and God. In Christianity, he is considered the spiritual ancestor through faith, and in Islam, he is a prophet and ancestor of both Arabs (through his son Ishmael) and Jews (through Isaac). The Druze and Baháʼí Faiths also hold Avraham in high regard. His story, centered on the themes of posterity and land, is recorded in the Book of Genesis and elaborated in later traditions. Notable Bearers and Cultural Context As an English Christian name, Abraham became widespread after the Protestant Reformation. A famous bearer is U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), who led the nation through the Civil War and abolished slavery. The Hebrew form Avraham is common among Jewish communities worldwide, and variant names exist across numerous languages, including Ibrahim (Arabic), Ebrahim (Persian), Braam (Afrikaans), and Brahim (Maghrebi Arabic). Meaning: "Father of many" or "multitude" Origin: Hebrew Type: Biblical name Usage regions: Hebrew Bible, Jewish and Christian communities Related forms: Avram, Avi (diminutive), various international variations