What are the names of the Magi?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
In the canonical Holy Scriptures, the Gospel of St. Matthew (Matthew 2:1–12) does not record the names or the exact number of the Magi. Holy Scripture simply identifies them as "wise men from the East." However, ancient Christian tradition preserves several sets of names across different regions and languages:
1. The Standard Traditional Names
The most widely known names throughout the Christian world—including contemporary commentaries and historical accounts in Egypt—are:
- Melchior (often associated with an older sage offering gold)
- Balthazar (often associated with offering myrrh)
- Caspar (or Gaspar, often associated with offering frankincense)
These names first appear in written Christian texts around the 6th century (such as the Excerpta Latina Barbari, an Alexandrian Latin chronicle) and became the standard naming convention across East and West.
2. Eastern and Syrian/Persian Traditions
Because the Magi came from the East (Persia/Mesopotamia), early Syriac and Eastern Christian writings preserved indigenous Persian names for them:
- Larvandad
- Gushnasaph (or Hormizd)
- Arshak (or Peroz)
Other Syriac accounts list them under variations such as Kagpha, Badadilma, and Badadasphida.
3. Sister Oriental Orthodox Traditions
In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (which shares deep historical and liturgical ties with Alexandria), ancient Ge'ez manuscripts record their names as:
- Hor
- Basanater
- Karsudan
In the Armenian tradition, they are often recorded as Kagba, Badadakharida, and Badadilma.
The Theological Significance
While their names remain a matter of pious historical tradition rather than canonical dogma, the Church's focus is on what the Magi represented:
- The Calling of the Gentiles: They fulfilled prophecies such as Psalm 72:10–11 and Isaiah 60:3, showing that the Gentiles recognized and bowed before the incarnate King and God, Jesus Christ, while the Jewish religious establishment remained indifferent or hostile.
- Their Three Gifts:
- Gold — for His royalty as the King of Kings.
- Frankincense — for His divinity and priesthood as the true God and Great High Priest.
- Myrrh — for His suffering, humanity, and burial.