Jeremiah is a name of Hebrew origin that means "appointed by God." It is derived from the Hebrew word "Yeremiya," which consists of "yerem" meaning "exalted" and "yah" referring to God. In the Old Testament of the Bible, Jeremiah was one of the major prophets who predicted the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity.
The name Jeremiah first gained popularity during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century when it was embraced by those who sought a more biblical approach to naming their children. It has since been used throughout Europe and North America, with its peak usage being in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In literature and art, Jeremiah is often depicted as a tragic figure due to his prophecies of doom that went unheeded by his contemporaries. However, he is also admired for his unwavering faith and commitment to God's message. Some notable figures named Jeremiah include the American author Jeremiah Johnson, who wrote about the American frontier experience, and Jeremiah Weeks, an American astronomer known for discovering several comets.
Overall, Jeremiah is a strong and distinctive name with deep biblical roots that carries a sense of gravity and seriousness due to its association with prophecy. Despite this, it has been used widely enough to avoid feeling overly religious or stuffy, making it an appealing choice for parents looking for a meaningful name with a touch of uniqueness.
The name Jeremiah has seen varying levels of popularity over the past five decades in the United States. In the early 1970s, it began with a steady increase from 7 births in 1973 to a peak of 35 births in 1977. This trend continued until 1982 when it reached another peak at 31 births.
However, the popularity started to decline from the mid-1980s onwards, with only 5 births recorded in 1990. The number of births fluctuated between 5 and 16 per year until 2004 when there was a significant spike to 36 births. This marked the beginning of another period of popularity for the name Jeremiah.
From 2004 onwards, the number of births fluctuated between 7 and 36, with no clear trend of decline or increase. The most recent data available shows that in 2022, there were 7 births, indicating a continued presence but not dominance in current times.
Over the entire period from 1973 to 2022, a total of 683 births with the name Jeremiah have been recorded in the United States. Despite its ups and downs in popularity, Jeremiah remains a name that has been given to hundreds of babies over several decades, reflecting its enduring appeal for some parents.