batya

Batya is a Hebrew feminine given name meaning "daughter of God" (bat means daughter; El or Elohim refers to God). It is used in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide. The name appears in several transliterations, including Bithiah, Bathia, and Bethia.

Biblical figure: In the Book of Exodus, Batya (often rendered Bithiah) is described as the daughter of Pharaoh who discovers the infant Moses in a basket in the Nile and adopts him as her son. She is said to name him Moses, explaining that she drew him from the water. In later Jewish tradition, she is venerated as a righteous non-Israelite who accepted the God of Israel.

Religious and cultural significance: Batya appears in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic literatures as a symbol of compassion and cross-cultural mercy. Her story is discussed in terms of belonging, loyalty, and piety within the Exodus narrative. In art and literature, she is sometimes portrayed as a bridge between Egyptian and Israelite cultures.

Modern usage: Batya remains a common given name in Israel and the Jewish diaspora, chosen for its meaning and historical associations.

Notable people: Batya Gur, Israeli crime novelist and journalist known for her Inspector Avraham Avraham series.