M
Masculine
Hebrew
Meaning & History
Meshulam is a modern Hebrew transcription of Meshullam. The name Meshullam derives from the Hebrew root שָׁלַם (shalam), meaning "to be complete, to be at peace," and thus carries the sense of "friend" or "ally."
Etymology
The biblical name Meshullam appears multiple times in the Old Testament, most notably in Nehemiah and Ezra, where it is borne by various individuals, including high priests and temple rebuilders. The name's core meaning of "making peace" or "being whole" reflects the Hebrew cultural value of covenant relationships, where a Meshullam would be seen as a person of loyalty and trustworthiness.Notable Bearers
Among the figures named Meshullam in the Old Testament are: Meshullam the son of Zerubbabel, a high priest; Mesullam, a chief of the people who signed Nehemiah's covenant; and several others. In modern times, the name has been revived in Israel, popularized as a personal name that connects bearers to their Jewish heritage. Notable modern bearers include Israeli poet Meshulam Bar Or and businessman Meshulam Riklis, reflecting the name's continued use beyond biblical contexts.Related Names
Cognates of Meshullah exist across many cultures derived from the Semitic root shalam: Sulejman in Bosnian, Sulaiman in Malay, Sulayman in Quranic context, Slimane in Maghrebi Arabic, and Süleyman in Turkish attest to the wide reach of this root, which also yields the name Solomon (derived from the same root). These names share the underlying connotation of peace and wholeness, though they often became associated with the biblical king Solomon.Cultural Significance
While Meshullah is considered a modern Hebrew form, the name Meshullam itself is rare in contemporary naming compared to more common biblical names like David or Yosef. Nevertheless, it appears occasionally among Jewish communities, especially in religious families, preserving a link to ancient history echoing the covenantal themes of the Old Testament.- Meaning: friend, ally; to be at peace
- Origin: Hebrew, derived from the root shalom (שָׁלָם)
- Kind: Modern Hebrew transcription of Meshullam, a biblical name
- Usage Regions: Historically in Israel among Jewish communities modernity worldwide
Related Names
Other Languages & Cultures
(Bosnian)
Sulejman (Malay)
Sulaiman (Quranic)
Sulayman (Arabic (Maghrebi))
Slimane (Turkish)
Süleyman (Biblical Hebrew)
Meshullam, Shallum (Jewish)
Solomon (Biblical German)
Salomo (French)
Salomon (Biblical Hebrew)
Shelomo (Biblical Italian)
Salomone (Spanish)
Salomón (History)
Suleiman (Hungarian)
Salamon (Kazakh)
Süleimen (Persian)
Soleiman (Portuguese)
Salomão (Semitic Mythology)
Shalim (Turkmen)
Süleýman (Western African)
Souleymane (Yiddish)
Zalman