The Meaning of the Name Baltasar
Baltasar is a name of Spanish origin, derived from the Hebrew name Belshazzar. The name Belshazzar was famously mentioned in the Bible as the last king of Babylon. The meaning of the name Baltasar is “God has protected” or “God has given protection”.
History and Origin
The original form of the name, Belshazzar, appears in the Bible in Daniel 5:1-31. In this passage, Belshazzar is described as the son of Nebuchadnezzar II and the last king of Babylon. He is known for his arrogance and pride, which ultimately led to his downfall. The story goes that he held a great feast and commanded that vessels taken from the temple of God be brought out and used for drinking wine. As punishment for his actions, God sent a hand to write on the wall, predicting his downfall.
The name Belshazzar was later adapted into Spanish as Baltasar. It is believed that this adaptation was made by Spanish Jews who were familiar with the biblical story. The name became popular among Spanish-speaking Christians during the Middle Ages.
Popularity
Today, Baltasar is still a popular name in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. According to data from 2019, it is currently ranked as the 437th most popular male name in Spain. It is also popular in other countries such as Mexico (ranked 645th) and Colombia (ranked 890th).
Famous People Named Baltasar
There are several famous people who have been given the name Baltasar throughout history. One example is Baltasar de Zúñiga y Guzmán (1561-1622), a Spanish nobleman who served as Prime Minister of Spain under King Philip III. Another example is Baltasar Garzón (born 1955), a Spanish judge who gained international fame for his efforts to prosecute human rights violations.
