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Jeremiah Boy

Popularity: #92 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationjuh-RAI-uh / /dʒəˈraɪə/

Hebrew; English

Meaning

Hebrew: 'Yahweh will uplift'; English: derivative form

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Jeremiah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name יִרְמְיָהוּ (Yirmiyahu), which translates to "Yahweh will exalt" or "Yahweh has uplifted." This name is composed of two elements: "Yirmi," meaning "to uplift," and "Yahu," a shortened form of Yahweh, the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. The transition of the name into English occurred through several linguistic stages, moving from Hebrew to Greek (Ἰερεμίας, Ieremías) in the Septuagint, and then to Latin (Jeremias) in the Vulgate, before finally being adopted into Old French and Middle English as Jeremiah.

Historically, Jeremiah is a significant biblical figure, known as one of the major prophets in the Hebrew Bible. He is traditionally believed to have lived during the late 7th to early 6th centuries BCE, a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile. The Book of Jeremiah, attributed to him, contains prophecies, lamentations, and narratives that reflect the social and political crises of his time. His life and messages have had a profound impact on Jewish and Christian thought, influencing various theological discussions and interpretations throughout history.

Culturally, the name Jeremiah has been associated with themes of prophecy, lamentation, and resilience. The figure of Jeremiah is often viewed as a symbol of perseverance in the face of adversity, which has contributed to the name's enduring presence in religious and literary contexts. The diminutive form "Jerry" has also emerged, though it is more contemporary. The name's historical and cultural resonance is further evidenced by its inclusion in various works of literature and art, reinforcing its significance across different eras.

Trend Summary

Jeremiah has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a resurgence in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Jeremias
  • Jeremie
  • Jeremiah

International Variants

  • Geremia (Italian)
  • Jérémie (French)
  • Jeremias (Spanish)
  • Yeremiah (Hebrew)

Famous people named Jeremiah

Jeremiah Johnson is a character best known for the film Jeremiah Johnson.

Jeremiah Wright is a pastor best known for his controversial sermons and as a former pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ.

Fictional characters named Jeremiah

Jeremiah is a fictional character from the comic book series Jeremiah. He is a survivor in a post-apocalyptic world, navigating the challenges of a society that has been drastically altered by disaster.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jeremiah was first seen in the United States in 1880. Jeremiah has ranked as high as #68 nationally, which occurred in 2010, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Jeremiah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Jeremiah (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 544
15%
CA 451
13%
FL 286
8%
NY 184
5%
GA 130
4%
NC 126
4%
PA 112
3%
IL 106
3%
OH 102
3%
VA 101
3%
MI 99
3%
TN 95
3%
WA 85
2%
AZ 80
2%
AL 74
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188037
188134
188233
188337
188438
188540
188640
188738
188834
188942
189035
189132
189233
189329
189428
189528
189643
189731
189830
189924
190043
190121
190230
190324
190435
190527
190622
190722
190823
190925
191035
191137
191257
191379
191483
191576
1916109
1917104
1918105
1919121
1920129
1921129
1922128
1923124
1924125
1925128
1926115
1927137
1928112
1929114
1930127
1931115
1932121
1933111
1934123
1935111
1936108
1937109
1938110
1939104
1940119
1941121
1942130
1943121
1944100
1945118
1946119
1947130
1948140
1949163
1950164
1951151
1952173
1953143
1954170
1955168
1956163
1957186
1958151
1959152
1960151
1961128
1962128
1963139
1964121
1965101
1966130
1967126
1968131
1969159
1970217
1971322
1972341
1973765
19741,294
19751,650
19762,873
19774,151
19783,445
19793,720
19804,093
19813,896
19823,329
19832,849
19842,776
19852,533
19862,381
19872,137
19882,190
19892,147
19902,006
19912,096
19921,938
19931,911
19942,081
19952,054
19962,103
19972,930
19983,223
19993,304
20003,643
20014,222
20024,720
20034,855
20045,381
20055,847
20066,544
20076,630
20086,593
20097,234
20107,742
20117,629
20127,497
20136,989
20146,895
20156,826
20166,626
20175,880
20185,627
20195,073
20204,596
20214,250
20223,875
20233,764
20243,702