Jerusalem Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: juh-ROO-suh-luhm /dʒəˈruːsələm/
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: 'City of Peace'; English: derived from the biblical city
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jerusalem derives from the ancient Hebrew word "Yerushalayim," which is believed to mean "foundation of peace" or "city of peace." The etymology can be traced back to the Semitic root "shalom," meaning peace. The name appears in various forms throughout history, including in Greek as "Hierosolyma" and in Latin as "Jerusalem," before making its way into Middle English as "Jerusalem." This linguistic evolution reflects the city's significance as a religious and cultural center in the ancient world, particularly in the context of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Historically, Jerusalem has been a focal point for numerous significant events and figures. It is mentioned extensively in the Hebrew Bible, where it is established as the capital of the united Kingdom of Israel under King David around the 10th century BCE.
The city is also central to the New Testament, where it is the site of key events in the life of Jesus Christ, including his crucifixion and resurrection. The significance of Jerusalem was further solidified by its mention in the King James Bible, published in 1611, which helped to popularize the name in English-speaking contexts.
Culturally, Jerusalem symbolizes spiritual aspiration and divine promise across various traditions. It is often associated with themes of hope, redemption, and peace, which resonate deeply within religious texts and practices.
The name has also inspired various diminutive forms and related names, such as "Salem," which is derived from the Hebrew root for peace. The enduring legacy of Jerusalem as a name reflects its profound historical and spiritual significance, making it a powerful symbol in the collective consciousness of many cultures.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jerusalem, 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 Jerusalem. 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 Jerusalem was first seen in the United States in 1981.
Jerusalem has ranked as high as #7879 nationally, which occurred in 2020, and has been most popular in California, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Jerusalem has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | 11 | 8 |
| 2024 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| 2023 | 23 | 11 | 12 |
| 2022 | 18 | 8 | 10 |
| 2021 | 21 | 8 | 13 |
| 2020 | 29 | 10 | 19 |
| 2019 | 27 | 10 | 17 |
| 2018 | 24 | 11 | 13 |
| 2017 | 23 | 9 | 14 |
| 2016 | 20 | 5 | 15 |
| 2015 | 16 | 6 | 10 |
| 2014 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 2013 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 2012 | 12 | 5 | 7 |
| 2011 | 16 | 7 | 9 |
| 2010 | 15 | 5 | 10 |
| 2009 | 17 | 5 | 12 |
| 2008 | 20 | 5 | 15 |
| 2007 | 17 | 5 | 12 |
| 2006 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2005 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 2003 | 14 | 5 | 9 |
| 2002 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 2001 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 2000 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1999 | 16 | 5 | 11 |
| 1998 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1996 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1994 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1993 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1992 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1991 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1990 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1988 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1981 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Top States for Jerusalem (2018)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |