Iah (also transcribed as Yah, Jah, Aa, or Aah) is a lunar deity in ancient Egyptian religion, whose name simply means “moon.” The name comes from Egyptian jꜥḥ, a direct word for the moon. In mythology, Iah was one of the early personifications of the moon, later associated with the more prominent moon gods Thoth and Khonsu. Etymology and Origins The ancient Egyptian term jꜥḥ simply meant “moon,” and the god Iah was a direct personification of this celestial body. The name appears in texts from the Middle Kingdom (c. 2055–1650 BCE) as a male lunar deity, distinct from the later syncretic figures. The word also survives in Coptic as ⲟⲟϩ (ooh). Notably, the name Yahweh has sometimes been proposed to derive from this Egyptian moon god, though this connection remains speculative. Role in Egyptian Mythology Iah was an early moon god whose prominence diminished over time. By the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE), he was overshadowed by Thoth and Khonsu, both of whom also had lunar associations. Iah was often depicted as a handsome young man wearing a lunar disk and crescent. In some traditions, he was identified with Thoth, the god of writing and wisdom, while in others he merged with Khonsu, a younger moon god associated with child protection. Notable Bearers As a personal name, Iah appears infrequently, mainly in ancient Egyptian contexts. One known bearer was Iahmes, an Egyptian official from the 18th Dynasty whose name incorporates the god. The name is also found in compound forms such as Iah-hotep (“the moon is satisfied”). Cultural Significance The moon held profound symbolic importance in ancient Egypt, tied to timekeeping, the flood cycle of the Nile, and religious festivals. Iah represented the moon as a celestial bull or falcon in earlier traditions, but later artistic depictions emphasized human form with lunar attributes. His worship centered in Thebes and other cult sites where lunar deities were revered. Meaning: Moon Origin: Egyptian, from jꜥḥ “moon” Type: First name (masculine), also used as a theonym Usage Regions: Ancient Egypt Related Names: Yah, Jah, Iaa