Ananias
/ˌænəˈnaɪ.əs/noun
A biblical name associated in English with deceit or lying, especially through the story of Ananias in the New Testament.
Did you know?In English, Ananias developed a pejorative sense because the New Testament story in Acts portrays him as struck dead after lying, turning a personal name into a moral cautionary word.
Etymological Timeline
Hebrew Bible / Ancient Hebrew
Hebrew
Hananyah / Ḥănanyāh
“A theophoric Hebrew name meaning 'Yahweh has been gracious' or 'Yah has favored.'”
Greek New Testament
Greek
Ἀνανίας (Ananías)
“Greek form of the Hebrew name used for several Jewish figures in biblical texts.”
Latin
Latin
Ananias
“Biblical proper name transmitted through the Vulgate and Christian tradition.”
Old English / Middle English
English
Ananias
“A biblical name known from scripture and church usage.”
16th–17th Century
English
an Ananias
“A liar or deceitful person, from the New Testament character in Acts 5.”
Modern English
English
Ananias
“A biblical name and literary allusion to deceit or falsehood.”