Jeremiah is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew word "Yeremiya," which means "may God exalt." It is the name given to one of the major prophets in the Old Testament of the Bible, Jeremiah himself. Jeremiah was a prophet during the reign of King Josiah and continued his prophecies through the reigns of Kings Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah until he was eventually taken captive by the Babylonians.
The name Jeremiah gained popularity in England during the late Middle Ages after it appeared in the Wycliffe Bible. It has since become a popular choice for boys' names around the world.
In terms of popularity, Jeremiah is currently more commonly used in English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom than in other parts of the world. In 2018, Jeremiah ranked 346th among baby boy names in the U.S., while it did not even make the top 500 list in England and Wales that same year.
Overall, Jeremiah is a name with a rich history dating back to biblical times, with a meaning that reflects a desire for divine elevation. It has become an enduring choice for parents looking for a strong and meaningful name for their sons.
The name Jeremiah has been popular among parents in the United States since at least the late 19th century, with a total of 217,939 babies named Jeremiah born between 1880 and 2023. The name's popularity has fluctuated over time, with periods of high popularity followed by periods of lower popularity.
Between 1880 and 1965, the number of births named Jeremiah ranged from a low of 24 in 1899 to a high of 159 in 1969. During this time, the name's popularity remained relatively stable, with an average of around 35-40 births per year.
However, starting in 1970, the popularity of the name Jeremiah began to rise dramatically. In that year, there were 217 births named Jeremiah, and by 1980, that number had increased to 4093. The name's popularity continued to grow throughout the 1980s and 1990s, reaching a peak of 7739 births in 2010.
Since then, the popularity of the name Jeremiah has decreased somewhat, with 5618 births in 2018 and 3750 births in 2023. Despite this recent decline, Jeremiah remains a popular choice among parents in the United States, ranking as the 49th most popular boys' name in 2021.
Overall, these statistics show that while the popularity of the name Jeremiah has varied over time, it has remained a consistently popular choice among American parents. The name's recent decline in popularity may be due to a number of factors, including changing trends and the availability of new naming options as more unique and unconventional names gain traction with parents. However, it is likely that Jeremiah will continue to be a widely-used and well-loved boys' name for years to come.