Gershom is a unique and intriguing name with a rich history and meaning. It is of Hebrew origin and its roots can be traced back to the Old Testament of the Bible.
The name Gershom means "stranger" or "alien". In the Bible, it was the name given by Moses to his second son with Zipporah, his Midianite wife. According to the story in Exodus 2:22, Zipporah named their son Gershom because she said, "I am a stranger (ger) in a foreign land." This suggests that the name may have been chosen to reflect the fact that Moses and Zipporah were living as outsiders among her people.
The name Gershom is also significant because it is one of the names given to one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In Numbers 26:19, Gershom is listed as the firstborn son of Manasseh, one of Joseph's sons. This tribe was named after Manasseh's son and became one of the prominent tribes in ancient Israel.
Over time, the name Gershom has evolved and taken on different variations and spellings. Some popular variants include Gershon, Gerschon, Gerchom, and Jereshom. Despite these variations, the core meaning of the name remains the same: stranger or alien.
Today, Gershom is not a particularly common name, but it is still used occasionally in some cultures, particularly among those with Jewish heritage. It is a distinctive name that carries a deep historical significance and a unique meaning. Those who bear this name may feel a strong connection to their heritage and the rich history of the name Gershom.
In conclusion, Gershom is an interesting and meaningful name with a fascinating history. Its origins can be traced back to the Bible, where it was given to one of Moses' sons and later became the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. With its unique meaning of "stranger" or "alien," Gershom is a distinctive choice for those looking for a name with deep historical roots and a profound significance.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Gershom has seen a varied level of popularity over the past four decades in the United States.
The name's popularity peaked between the years 1988 to 1999, with the highest number of births occurring in 1997 and 1999, totaling 10 births each year. This period marked a consistent trend of at least five or more births annually for Gershom.
However, from 2000 onwards, there was a decline in the popularity of the name Gershom. Between 2000 and 2005, there were only five births per year on average. There was a slight increase between 2006 to 2010, with 12 births recorded in 2006.
Despite the decline in popularity, the name Gershom has seen a recent resurgence since 2015. Between 2015 and 2023, there have been at least six births per year, with peaks of eight births in 2017 and 2021 respectively.
In total, over the past four decades, there have been 201 recorded births with the name Gershom in the United States.