Holy Name of Jesus

In Roman Catholicism, the veneration Holy Name of Jesus (also Most Holy Name of Jesus, Italian: Santissimo Nome di Gesù) developed as a separate type of devotion in the Early Modern period, in parallel to that of the Sacred Heart. The Litany of the Holy Name is a Roman Catholic Prayer, probably of the 15th century (Bernardino of Siena and John of Capistrano). The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus was introduced in 1530.

The veneration of Nomina sacra in the form of variants of the Christogram has a tradition going back to early Christianity. and related practices of devotion exist in Eastern Christianity (c.f. Jesus Prayer). The feast day is celebrated either as the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus or as that of Circumcision of Jesus, in various Christian churches.

The Gospel of Matthew provides a specific meaning and intention for the name Jesus (as the one who "saves his people from sin") and indicates that it was selected by Heavenly guidance. For centuries, Christians have invoked the Holy Name, and have believed that there is intrinsic power in the name of Jesus.

In Luke 1:31, an angel tells Mary to name her child Jesus, and in Matthew 1:21 an angel tells Joseph to name the child. Matthew places special emphasis on the origin of the names of Jesus, 1:21-23 discussing the two names Jesus and Emmanuel. The significance is underscored by the fact that Matthew pays more attention to the name of the child and its theological implications than the actual birth event itself.

In the message of the angel in Joseph's first dream includes the origin of the name Jesus, and has salvific implications when the angel instructs Joseph: "you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins". It is the only place in the New Testament where "saves his people" appears with "sins".

...
Wikipedia