seven reflections
Login
Jeremiah Name Meaning, Origins & History

Jeremiah

Pronunciation: jair-uh-MY-uh

Meaning God exalts Origin Hebrew Gender Boy
BOYS RANK
#88
TREND
5
GIRLS RANK
#10,461
TREND
3,730
Peak Years
2010, 2011, 2012
Lowest Years
1901, 1906, 1907
Energy Archetype
Courageous & Inventive

Rank shows the name’s position among U.S. baby names for each gender in 2025. Trend shows how many places it rose or fell since 2024. Rank 1 is the most popular. Based on U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) data. Peak and lowest years are based on the number of boys named Jeremiah in the available records.

Fun Facts About the Name Jeremiah

  • Back among the favorites: Jeremiah returned to the U.S. top 100 in 1883 and stayed there for 25 consecutive years, through 2025.
  • More than 226 thousand babies named Jeremiah: U.S. records list 226,274 babies given the name Jeremiah from 1880 through 2025. Even 699 girls received the name Jeremiah - about 1 girl for every 323 boys.

What Does the Name Jeremiah Mean?

Jeremiah is the English form of the Hebrew name Yirmeyahu (יִרְמְיָהוּ), a Yahwistic personal name usually understood to mean "Yahweh exalts" or "the Lord exalts." The name has two elements: a short form of the divine name YHWH and a verb element traditionally connected with the Hebrew root rum (רוּם), "to be high" or "to be exalted." Some explanations instead link the verb to a root meaning "to throw," "to loosen," or "to appoint," giving senses such as "Yahweh has appointed" or "Yahweh loosens." The exact nuance is not certain, but the name is clearly a Hebrew name honoring Yahweh. The Greek form Ieremias (Ἰερεμίας) and the Latin Jeremias stand between the Hebrew name and the English spelling. The shorter Hebrew form Yirmiyah (יִרְמְיָה) also appears in the Hebrew Bible.

Jeremiah Name History & Origins

The best-known bearer is the prophet Jeremiah, who lived in the kingdom of Judah in the late seventh and early sixth centuries BCE. According to the Book of Jeremiah, he was called to prophesy in the thirteenth year of King Josiah, around 627 - 626 BCE, and he continued through the reigns of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah. His ministry spanned the Babylonian invasion and the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. The biblical book that carries his name includes oracles, warnings, and narratives about his life; the Book of Lamentations was traditionally attributed to him, though it does not name him. Later tradition calls him the "weeping prophet," a description of his lamenting message rather than a meaning of his name.

The Hebrew name was rendered in Greek as Ieremias (Ἰερεμίας) in the Septuagint and the New Testament, and in Latin as Jeremias in the Vulgate. English Bibles of the 16th and 17th centuries, including the Geneva Bible and the King James Version, used Jeremiah for the prophet. From those biblical forms the name passed into English and other European languages. The English variant Jeremy came through the French Jérémie, while forms such as Italian Geremia and Spanish Jeremías reflect the Latin and Greek traditions. Later bearers include the English astronomer Jeremiah Horrocks (1618 - 1641) and the American surveyor Jeremiah Dixon (1733 - 1779).

How Popular is the Name Jeremiah?

Jeremiah ranked among the top 100 U.S. names from 1976 through 1983, then returned in 2001 and remained through 2025.

U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.

Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.

Explore Name Lists Featuring Jeremiah

Carl appears in several baby name collections based on U.S. popularity records, naming trends, and name characteristics. Explore these lists to discover other names with similar histories, styles, or features.

Revived Favorite Boy Names

Revived Baby Names: Boy & Girl Names Making a Comeback

Explore More Lists with Name Jeremiah

Most Popular Boy Names That Start with J

See List of Most Popular Boy Names Starting with J

How the Name Jeremiah Shapes Your Personality and Life?

You are honest, benevolent, brilliant and often inventive, full of high inspirations. You are courageous, honest, determined, original and creative. You are a leader, especially for a cause. Sometimes you do not care to finish what you start, and may leave details to others. You can do well in position of authority, and prospers in intellectual and professional fields. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.

You find the best contentment in life when you own your own home and provide well for your family and loved ones. You have a great sense of responsibility and duty. You are comforting, appreciative and affectionate. Your obligation in life is to hold justice and truth, and if you follow the Law, you can find the great happiness and satisfaction.

✦ Jeremiah's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Jeremiah's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.
Explore Insights & Tips

Name Search