Amariah is a unique and distinctive given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "amar," which means "to speak" or "to say." Therefore, Amariah translates to "the Lord says" or "the Lord speaks."
The name Amariah appears in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in 1 Chronicles 5:20 and 6:37. In these passages, Amariah is mentioned as a descendant of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was the son of Michael and the father of Mushi.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures named Amariah. One such figure is Amariah De Castro, a Brazilian composer and musician who was active during the early 20th century. He is known for his work in the choro music genre and his influence on Brazilian popular music.
In recent years, Amariah has gained popularity as a given name for boys and girls. Its unique sound and Hebrew origin make it an appealing choice for parents looking for distinctive names with meaningful origins. However, despite its growing popularity, Amariah remains relatively uncommon compared to more traditional Hebrew names like Daniel or Samuel.
The name Amariah has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States, with a total of 3,378 births recorded since 1980. The earliest recorded birth was in 1980, with only 5 occurrences that year.
However, it wasn't until the mid-1990s that Amariah began to gain traction as a popular name, with births increasing from 17 in 1992 to 35 in 1998. This trend continued into the new millennium, with over 60 births recorded in each year from 2000 onwards.
The peak popularity of Amariah was reached between 2006 and 2009, during which time there were over 180 births each year. Interestingly, despite a slight dip in popularity since then, the name has maintained a consistent level of around 130-140 births per year up until 2023.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that while Amariah may not be one of the most popular names in the United States, it has nonetheless established itself as a recognizable and enduring choice among parents over the past few decades.