Jeremias is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Babylonian name "Yirmiyahu." The meaning of this name is generally accepted to be "exalted by God" or "appointed by God." This interpretation comes from the two components that make up the name: "yeram," which means "to exalt," and "yah," a shortened form of Yahweh, the name of God in Hebrew.
The name Jeremias is significant in biblical history as it was borne by the prophet Jeremiah, one of the major prophets in the Old Testament. This prophet lived during the late 7th century BCE and served as a prophet to the kingdom of Judah until its fall in 586 BCE. His prophecies included warnings about the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity.
In literature, Jeremias is also the name of the hero of "Green Henry," an 1855 novel by Gottfried Keller, and a character in Thomas Mann's 1947 novel "Doctor Faustus." These literary works have contributed to the name's cultural significance and recognition.
Throughout history, the name Jeremias has been popular among various cultures. In Spain and Latin America, for instance, it is often used as an alternative form of Jerome or Jeremy. It is also found in other European countries such as Germany and Poland, where it may be spelled as Jeremiah or Jeroen in some cases.
In terms of its usage over time, the name Jeremias was particularly common during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period, but its popularity has waned since then. Today, it is still used occasionally but is considered somewhat uncommon compared to other names like John or Michael. Nevertheless, Jeremias remains a name with deep historical roots and cultural significance that continues to be chosen by parents for their children.
The name Jeremias experienced a slow start with fewer than 10 births per year until the late 1960s. However, it gained significant popularity from the early 1970s onwards, with more than 50 births recorded annually since 2007. The peak in popularity occurred recently, with over 250 births each year between 2018 and 2022. Overall, Jeremias has been given to a total of 4430 children across the years from 1960 to 2023.