Jareth Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JAR-eth //ˈdʒɛr.əθ//
Origin: English; Welsh
Meaning: English: To be strong; Welsh: A variant of Gareth
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jareth is believed to be a modern invention, likely derived from the combination of the names Jared and Gareth. The name Jared has Hebrew origins, stemming from the root word "yaradh," which means "to descend." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, notably as a figure in the genealogies of Genesis, where Jared is described as a descendant of Enoch and the father of Methuselah, who is famously noted for his long lifespan.
The name Gareth, on the other hand, has Welsh roots, derived from the Old Welsh name "Geraint," which is associated with the meaning "gentle" or "gracious." The blending of these names into Jareth reflects a trend in the late 20th century to create unique names by merging existing ones. The name Jareth gained some recognition in popular culture through its use in the 1986 film "Labyrinth," where it was borne by the character played by David Bowie.
This film, which has since become a cult classic, contributed to the name's visibility, although it is not rooted in historical figures or traditional texts. The character's portrayal as a charismatic and enigmatic figure may have added layers of meaning to the name, associating it with themes of adventure and fantasy.
Culturally, Jareth does not have extensive historical significance or traditional associations compared to more established names. However, its unique sound and construction have made it appealing in various contexts, particularly in fantasy literature and media.
The name's modernity and the absence of a long historical lineage allow it to be perceived as fresh and innovative, aligning with contemporary naming practices that favor originality. While Jareth does not have diminutive forms that are widely recognized, its phonetic structure lends itself to affectionate variations that may emerge in informal settings.
Famous people named Jareth
In this section, you will find notable people named Jareth. 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 Jareth who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Jareth 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.
Jareth the Goblin King is a fictional character best known for the film Labyrinth.
Jareth is a musician best known for being the lead vocalist of the band The Dark Crystal.
Fictional characters named Jareth
The following list of fictional characters named Jareth is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Jareth is a fictional character from the film Labyrinth. He is the Goblin King who challenges the protagonist, Sarah, in her quest to rescue her baby brother.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jareth, 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 Jareth. 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 Jareth was first seen in the United States in 1986.
Jareth has ranked as high as #1270 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Arizona.
In the past 5 years the name Jareth has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Jareth 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 Jareth was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Jareth (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 14 | |
| CA | 12 | |
| FL | 7 | |
| NY | 6 |
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 Jareth.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 90 |
| 2023 | 89 |
| 2022 | 58 |
| 2021 | 47 |
| 2020 | 53 |
| 2019 | 57 |
| 2018 | 56 |
| 2017 | 55 |
| 2016 | 62 |
| 2015 | 52 |
| 2014 | 73 |
| 2013 | 53 |
| 2012 | 56 |
| 2011 | 52 |
| 2010 | 51 |
| 2009 | 75 |
| 2008 | 84 |
| 2007 | 76 |
| 2006 | 74 |
| 2005 | 53 |
| 2004 | 58 |
| 2003 | 52 |
| 2002 | 60 |
| 2001 | 46 |
| 2000 | 33 |
| 1999 | 28 |
| 1998 | 40 |
| 1997 | 32 |
| 1996 | 29 |
| 1995 | 27 |
| 1994 | 28 |
| 1993 | 26 |
| 1992 | 29 |
| 1991 | 40 |
| 1990 | 49 |
| 1989 | 38 |
| 1988 | 51 |
| 1987 | 50 |
| 1986 | 10 |