Boaz

Hebrew
"swiftness"

Boaz Origin and Meaning

The name Boaz is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "swiftness".

Now that such Old Testament patriarchs as Elijah and Moses fill the playground, Boaz seems downright baby-friendly, having more pizzazz than many of the others, perhaps as a successor to Noah.

A name that was used by the seventeenth century Pilgrims and is still heard in Israel, but is a rarity in the U.S., Boaz is associated with the Jewish holiday Shavuot, as that is when the Bible story of Ruth is read in the synagogue, and Boaz was Ruth's wealthy and generous second husband, making it logical for Boaz to sometimes be given to boys born at that time.

Extra added attraction: one of the all-time great nicknames — Bo.

# 411 on Nameberry

Boaz Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Boaz Popularity

Famous People Named Boaz

  • Boaz YakinAmerican screenwriter and director
  • Boaz ToporovskyIsraeli politician
  • Glyn Oliver "Boaz" MyhillBritish footballer
  • Boaz Theofilius Erwin SolossaIndonesian footballer
  • Boaz DavidsonIsraeli film director, producer and screenwriter
  • Boaz Joost van Velzen (b. 2012)son of singer VanVelzen

Boaz in Pop Culture

  • Boazthe left pillar in the Temple (1 Kings 7:21)
  • Boaz Priestlya character from the movie "Ten Inch Hero"