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Uriah Unisex

Popularity: #548 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationYOO-rye-uh / juːˈraɪə

Hebrew

Meaning

My light is Yahweh

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Uriah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name אֱוִיָּה (Uriah), which translates to "my light is Yahweh" or "the Lord is my light." The name is composed of two elements: "uri," meaning "my light," and "Yah," a shortened form of Yahweh, the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. This name was adopted into Greek as Ουρίας (Ourias) and later into Latin as Uriah, before making its way into Old French and eventually into English during the Middle Ages.

Historically, Uriah is most notably associated with a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Samuel. Uriah the Hittite was a soldier in King David's army and is remembered for his tragic fate, as he was sent to the front lines by David to cover up an affair with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife. This narrative, which unfolds around the 10th century BCE, has been a subject of theological discussion and literary exploration, influencing various works throughout history, including the King James Bible, which was published in 1611.

Culturally, the name Uriah has been imbued with themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and moral complexity due to its biblical associations. The story of Uriah has resonated in religious contexts, often serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of betrayal and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals in positions of power. The name has also appeared in various literary works and artistic representations, reinforcing its significance in Western culture. A diminutive form, Uri, is sometimes used, although Uriah itself carries a weight of historical and cultural meaning that has contributed to its endurance over centuries.

Trend Summary

Uriah has seen a gradual increase in popularity in the United States over recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Urijah

International Variants

  • Uria (Spanish)
  • Urijah (Hebrew)

Famous people named Uriah

Uriah Heep is a fictional character in the novel David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

Uriah Hall is a mixed martial artist best known for competing in the UFC and The Ultimate Fighter.

Uriah Faber is a retired mixed martial artist best known for being a former WEC Featherweight Champion.

Fictional characters named Uriah

Uriah Heep is a fictional character from the novel David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. He is a devious and obsequious clerk who serves as one of the main antagonists in the story.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Uriah was first seen in the United States in 1880. Uriah has ranked as high as #870 nationally, which occurred in 2014, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Indiana. In the past 5 years the name Uriah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Uriah (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 47
14%
TX 41
12%
FL 24
7%
GA 19
5%
WA 15
4%
MI 15
4%
NM 15
4%
IN 14
4%
OH 13
4%
MO 13
4%
NC 13
4%
OR 12
3%
TN 12
3%
WI 11
3%
AZ 11
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188010
18816
18825
18887
18909
189110
18935
18946
18975
19116
19125
19139
19148
191519
191616
191715
191810
191915
192016
192114
192213
19235
19248
192513
19267
19279
192811
192910
193010
193111
19328
19355
19366
19389
194110
19426
19447
19455
19488
19495
19525
19535
19547
19559
19577
19585
19615
19636
19646
19685
19695
197010
197111
197225
197364
197471
197556
197685
197787
197893
197981
198094
198181
198287
198361
198465
198573
198681
1987105
198893
1989120
199080
199192
1992111
199384
199494
1995108
1996101
1997132
1998108
1999138
2000142
2001120
2002124
2003123
2004126
2005128
2006168
2007184
2008339
2009434
2010462
2011435
2012451
2013493
2014559
2015486
2016530
2017520
2018464
2019449
2020421
2021385
2022382
2023381
2024421