Jeremiah is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "appointed by God" or "God will exalt". It comes from the Hebrew elements "yeram" meaning to dream or see visions, and "yah" which represents God. The name Jeremiah is associated with the prophet Jeremiah in the Bible, who was known for his predictions about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile.
The name Jeremiah has been used throughout history, with notable bearers including Saint Jeremiah, a 5th-century bishop of Strido in Dalmatia, and Jeremiah Denton, an American naval officer and politician. The name has also been popularized by literary characters such as Jeremiah "Jere" Burns from the television series "Breaking Bad".
In terms of popularity, Jeremiah has consistently ranked among the top 1000 boy names in the United States since the early 20th century. It peaked in popularity during the late 1960s and early 1970s, reaching its highest rank of #584 in 1968. Today, Jeremiah remains a classic yet enduring name choice for parents looking to give their child a strong, biblical name with historical significance.
Overall, Jeremiah is a name with deep roots in history and religion, carrying a powerful meaning that has resonated with parents and individuals alike for centuries.
The name Jeremiah has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States. In the early years between 1962 and 1975, the name was given to around 5-7 babies annually. However, from 1978 onwards, there was an increase in its popularity, with the number of births ranging from 6 to 13 each year until 2004.
The peak of Jeremiah's popularity came between 2002 and 2005, with a total of 20 births in 2002, 19 births in 2003, 22 births in 2004, and a record high of 25 births in 2005. This shows that during this period, Jeremiah was a highly favored name among parents.
However, after the mid-2000s, the popularity of the name began to decline steadily. From 2006 onwards, the number of annual births with the name Jeremiah ranged from 9 to 17, with a noticeable drop in recent years, down to just 5 births in 2018 and 7 births in 2021.
Overall, between 1962 and 2021, there were a total of 433 babies named Jeremiah born in the United States. While the name has had its periods of popularity and decline over the years, it remains a classic choice that has stood the test of time.