Jairus Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JY-ruhs /ˈdʒaɪrəs/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: He will awaken
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jairus has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name יָאִיר (Yair), which means "he will enlighten" or "he will shine." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Gospel of Mark, where Jairus is described as a synagogue leader whose daughter was healed by Jesus. The name transitioned into Greek as Ιάειρος (Iaireus) in the New Testament, which was then adopted into Latin as Jairus before making its way into Old French and eventually into English.
This linguistic journey reflects the historical significance of the name within Judeo-Christian traditions. Jairus is notably referenced in the New Testament, particularly in the first century CE, where his story is recounted in the synoptic gospels.
The narrative emphasizes themes of faith and divine intervention, as Jairus seeks Jesus' help to heal his ailing daughter. This account has been influential in Christian teachings and has contributed to the name's enduring presence in religious contexts.
The name also appears in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version, which helped solidify its recognition in Christian communities. Culturally, the name Jairus carries connotations of hope and restoration, resonating with the themes of light and enlightenment inherent in its etymology.
The association with a biblical figure who experienced a miraculous healing has imbued the name with a sense of spiritual significance. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Jairo have emerged in different cultures, reflecting the name's adaptability and continued relevance through the centuries.
Overall, Jairus stands as a testament to the enduring power of names rooted in historical and religious narratives.
Famous people named Jairus
In this section, you will find notable people named Jairus. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Jairus who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Jairus who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Jairus L. Johnson is a musician best known for his work with the band The New York Times and his solo albums.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jairus, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Jairus. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jairus was first seen in the United States in 1933.
Jairus has ranked as high as #3991 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina.
In the past 5 years the name Jairus has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Jairus is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Jairus was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Jairus.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 50 | 50 |
| 2024 | 31 | 31 |
| 2023 | 56 | 56 |
| 2022 | 43 | 43 |
| 2021 | 50 | 50 |
| 2020 | 46 | 46 |
| 2019 | 65 | 65 |
| 2018 | 73 | 73 |
| 2017 | 62 | 62 |
| 2016 | 49 | 49 |
| 2015 | 83 | 83 |
| 2014 | 69 | 69 |
| 2013 | 66 | 66 |
| 2012 | 58 | 58 |
| 2011 | 59 | 59 |
| 2010 | 73 | 73 |
| 2009 | 68 | 68 |
| 2008 | 71 | 71 |
| 2007 | 71 | 71 |
| 2006 | 77 | 77 |
| 2005 | 71 | 71 |
| 2004 | 65 | 65 |
| 2003 | 66 | 66 |
| 2002 | 63 | 63 |
| 2001 | 70 | 70 |
| 2000 | 68 | 68 |
| 1999 | 75 | 75 |
| 1998 | 75 | 75 |
| 1997 | 53 | 53 |
| 1996 | 51 | 51 |
| 1995 | 58 | 58 |
| 1994 | 74 | 74 |
| 1993 | 62 | 62 |
| 1992 | 57 | 57 |
| 1991 | 53 | 53 |
| 1990 | 63 | 63 |
| 1989 | 51 | 51 |
| 1988 | 43 | 43 |
| 1987 | 36 | 36 |
| 1986 | 36 | 36 |
| 1985 | 44 | 44 |
| 1984 | 37 | 37 |
| 1983 | 37 | 37 |
| 1982 | 44 | 44 |
| 1981 | 20 | 20 |
| 1980 | 25 | 25 |
| 1979 | 16 | 16 |
| 1978 | 19 | 19 |
| 1977 | 16 | 16 |
| 1976 | 16 | 16 |
| 1975 | 10 | 10 |
| 1974 | 10 | 10 |
| 1971 | 6 | 6 |
| 1967 | 7 | 7 |
| 1963 | 8 | 8 |
| 1961 | 5 | 5 |
| 1960 | 6 | 6 |
| 1933 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Jairus (2023)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| OH | 9 | |
| CA | 6 | |
| TX | 5 |