The Hebrew Ashkenaz refers to a son of Gomer and grandson of Japheth (Genesis 10:3). The name identifies a people group associated with the ancient Near East, later connected to peoples of the Black Sea region. Jeremiah 51:27 calls them to battle against Babylon.
Though primarily a proper name, Ashkenaz carries theological weight as part of the Table of Nations (Genesis 10), demonstrating God's sovereign ordering of all peoples and nations from Noah. Every nation finds its identity in God's providential distribution of the earth's families.