Urijah Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YOO-rye-uh //juːˈraɪə//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: My light (Hebrew); God is my light (English)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Urijah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the elements "uri," meaning "my light," and "yah," a shortened form of the Tetragrammaton, representing the name of God. The earliest forms of the name can be traced back to the Hebrew Bible, where it appears as "Uriah" (אֻרִיָּה), notably in the context of biblical figures such as Uriah the Hittite, a soldier in King David's army, who is mentioned in the Second Book of Samuel.
The name transitioned into Greek as "Ouria" and subsequently into Latin as "Uriah," before being adopted into Old French and eventually entering the English lexicon during the Middle Ages. Historically, Urijah is associated with significant biblical narratives, particularly during the reign of King David, around the 10th century BCE.
Uriah the Hittite's story is often cited in discussions of loyalty, betrayal, and moral complexity, as he was the husband of Bathsheba, whose relationship with David led to Uriah's tragic fate. The name has also appeared in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version published in 1611, which helped to solidify its presence in English-speaking cultures.
Culturally, Urijah carries connotations of divine light and guidance, reflecting its etymological roots. The name has been embraced in various religious and cultural contexts, often symbolizing faith and illumination.
In some traditions, diminutive forms such as "Uri" have emerged, though Urijah itself remains a significant name with historical depth. Its biblical connections and the moral lessons derived from its associated narratives contribute to its lasting resonance in religious and literary discussions.
Famous people named Urijah
In this section, you will find notable people named Urijah. 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 Urijah who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Urijah 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.
Urijah Faber is a mixed martial artist best known for being a former WEC Featherweight Champion and a UFC Hall of Famer.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Urijah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Urijah was first seen in the United States in 2000.
Urijah has ranked as high as #1289 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, Washington, and New Mexico.
In the past 5 years the name Urijah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Urijah 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 Urijah 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 Urijah.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 44 | 44 | 0 |
| 2024 | 51 | 51 | 0 |
| 2023 | 56 | 56 | 0 |
| 2022 | 91 | 91 | 0 |
| 2021 | 80 | 80 | 0 |
| 2020 | 97 | 97 | 0 |
| 2019 | 117 | 117 | 0 |
| 2018 | 125 | 125 | 0 |
| 2017 | 167 | 167 | 0 |
| 2016 | 224 | 217 | 7 |
| 2015 | 253 | 253 | 0 |
| 2014 | 298 | 293 | 5 |
| 2013 | 313 | 302 | 11 |
| 2012 | 370 | 355 | 15 |
| 2011 | 365 | 360 | 5 |
| 2010 | 403 | 390 | 13 |
| 2009 | 420 | 403 | 17 |
| 2008 | 249 | 237 | 12 |
| 2007 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2006 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2005 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2002 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2001 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2000 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Top States for Urijah (2024)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 7 | |
| TX | 6 | |
| PA | 5 |