Osnat is the modern Hebrew form of the Biblical name Asenath. It is a feminine name used primarily in Israel, derived from the Egyptian name Asenath, meaning 'belonging to the goddess Neith'. The name is closely tied to the biblical narrative of Joseph and his Egyptian wife. Etymology The name Osnat originates from the Hebrew אָסְנַת (’Osnat), itself a transliteration of the Ancient Egyptian name ’Asenath. The Egyptian name is composed of an element meaning 'belonging to' and the name of the goddess Neith. Neith was a prominent deity in the Egyptian pantheon, associated with war, hunting, and weaving. The name may also be influenced by the Phoenician goddess Tanith, though the direct connection is unclear. Biblical and Historical Context In the Book of Genesis (41:45, 41:50–52), Asenath is the wife of the patriarch Joseph and the mother of Ephraim and Manasseh. She was an Egyptian woman of high social standing, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. According to rabbinic traditions, Asenath is portrayed in two ways: some sources treat her as a convert to Judaism, a positive model of devotion, while others claim she was the daughter of Dinah and thus a native Hebrew raised in Egypt. The medieval romance Joseph and Aseneth elaborates on her conversion story, emphasizing her adoption of monotheism. The name Osnat became popular in modern Israel as a revived biblical name, reflecting the trend of using ancient names with a contemporary spelling. Variants and Related Names Osnat's related forms include the original Biblical name Asenath, the Biblical Greek Asenneth, the Biblical Latin Aseneth, the Biblical Hebrew 'Asnat, and the Egyptian root Nit. A distant root meaning connects Osnat to the Phoenician goddess Tanith, though this is not a direct etymological link. Meaning: Belonging to the goddess Neith Origin: Egyptian, via Hebrew Type: First name Usage: Hebrew (modern Israeli)