Antipas
Against all; instead of father
Name Details
| Origin Language | Greek |
|---|---|
| Lucky Number | #7 |
| Lucky Days | Sunday |
| Lucky Colors | Purple, Red |
| Lucky Stone | Amethyst |
What Does the Name Antipas Mean?
Antipas is a Greek name that expresses the profound sense of "Against all; instead of father". Rooted in ancient Greek, the language of the New Testament, classical philosophy and early Christianity, this name connects the child to a heritage of meaning, identity and cultural depth. Greek-origin names connect to the earliest Christian communities, classical philosophy and the literary tradition that shaped Western civilization. Many entered Christian use through the apostles, church fathers and the Greek text of the New Testament.
Families choosing Greek-origin names often value the connection to early Christian history, philosophical virtue or the classical beauty of Greek language and culture. Understanding the linguistic origin and cultural setting of a name like Antipas helps parents make a choice that is both personally meaningful and culturally informed. Explore more names in our Christian Boys Names collection to compare options with similar roots and meanings.
In traditional name numerology, Antipas is associated with lucky number 7. The colors Purple, Red are considered favorable , especially on Sunday. The gemstone Amethyst is traditionally associated with this name. Numerology is a cultural tradition valued by many families — while it is not a science, it adds a personal layer of meaning to the naming process for those who appreciate these customs.
Explore More Christian Boys Names
Antipas is part of our curated Christian Boys Names collection, where every name includes its meaning, origin, pronunciation guide and cultural context. Browse the full collection to discover names with similar meanings and origins — and use the compare tool to evaluate your favorites side by side.
History / Notes
Antipas appears in Revelation 2:13 as a faithful martyr in Pergamum, whom Jesus calls my faithful witness, who was killed among you. This brief mention in Christs letter to the church in Pergamum honors a specific individual known to the original readers but otherwise unknown to history. Tradition holds that Antipas was bishop of Pergamum martyred under Domitian by being burned inside a bronze bull-shaped altar. His name combines anti (against, instead of) with pas (all) or pater (father), possibly meaning against all or instead of father. The names significance lies entirely in this single New Testament reference, making him one of the few named martyrs in Scripture besides Stephen and James. Jesus calls him my faithful witness using the Greek word martys from which we derive martyr. His faithfulness unto death exemplifies the call to be faithful even to death (Revelation 2:10). Pergamum was described as where Satans throne is, likely referring to its prominence in emperor worship and pagan cults. Antipas resisted imperial demands to worship the emperor, choosing death rather than compromise. His witness encourages all Christians facing persecution that faithfulness unto death receives Christs personal commendation.