Jeremiah Overview
- Meaning: The name Jeremiah means “God is exalted” or “God will rise.”
- Gender: Jeremiah is traditionally used as a male’s name.
- Origin: The name Jeremiah is of ancient Hebrew origins.
- Pronunciation: Jeremiah is a four-syllable name pronounced JEHR-ah-MY-ah.
- Popularity: Since the 1970’s Jeremiah has been a very popular name choice for boys.
- Nicknames: Gem, Jay, Jem, Jim, Jerry, Miah, Rem, Remmy.
- Variations: Geremia, Gerome, Jeremey, Jeremias, Jermyn, Jerry, Yeremiya.
- Namesakes: Biblical figure Jeremiah, the prophet and author of the Book of Jeremiah.
What Does Jeremiah Mean?
The name Jeremiah means “Yahweh will rise” in ancient Hebrew. A more modern translation would be, “God is exalted” or “God will rise above.” Other translations include “God will exalt” or “God is high.” The overall theme of each translation is that God is above all else.
What is the Origin of the Name Jeremiah?
The name Jeremiah is originally from the ancient Hebrew language. It was popularized by the famous prophet Jeremiah from the Bible. The Biblical character of Jeremiah was a prophet who is said to have authored the Book Of Jeremiah from the New Testament (1). As a prophet, Jeremiah worked to bring the Israelites closer to God.
How Popular is the Name Jeremiah?
The name Jeremiah is extremely popular. Since the 1970s, it has consistently ranked in the top 100 names for boys in the United States. At present, it is ranked the 74th most popular name for boys in the United States (2).
Jeremiah is also a popular name in Africa as well as Israel.
How Do I Pronounce Jeremiah?
The name Jeremiah is pronounced JEHR-ah-MY-ah.
Common mispronunciations emphasize the soft “ah” syllables, like jehr-AH-my-AH.
Is Jeremiah a Boy or Girl Name?
Jeremiah is most commonly used as a boy’s name. There are no widely used female variations of the name Jeremiah.
Variations of Jeremiah
Jeremiah has been a popular name long enough to have inspired several different variations of the name. There are also slightly different spellings and pronunciations across other cultures.
- Gerimia (Italian, Spanish)
- Gerome (French, English, American)
- Jeremey (American)
- Jeremias (Spanish)
- Jermyn (Israeli)
- Jerry (American)
- Yeremiya (Israeli)
Nicknames for Jeremiah
Jeremiah is a long three-syllable name that has several possibilities for nicknames. Some of the most common nicknames for Jeremiah are:
- Gem
- Jay
- Jem
- Jim
- Jer
- Jerry
- Miah
- Rem
- Remmy
Similar Names to Jeremiah
There are quite a few phonetically similar names to the name Jeremiah. Additionally, some names have similar religious ties and meanings.
Examples of these names are:
- Jarrod
- Jedidiah
- Jeremy
- Jerick
- Jerold
- Jermaine
- Jerome
- Josiah
Middle Names for Jeremiah
Because Jeremiah is a longer name, it pairs well with a shorter middle name. The name Jeremiah contains four syllables, so try to pair it with a name that has one or two syllables max. Some middle name suggestions for Jeremiah are:
- Adam
- Alan
- Bruce
- Caleb
- Carl
- Clark
- Cole
- Daniel
- Flynn
- Lane
- Levi
- Luke
- Quinn
- Rex
- Skye
- Tate
- Zack
Sibling Names for Jeremiah
Jeremiah is a mighty name that matches well with other monikers that sound striking. Below are a few examples of boys’ and girls’ names that would make great sibling names for Jeremiah:
- Aaron
- Abigail
- Claudia
- Cynthia
- David
- Delilah
- Eleanor
- Elijah
- Ezra
- Gideon
- Isaiah
- James
- Jesse
- Johnathan
- Joshua
- Joseph
- Naomi
- Zoe
Famous People Named Jeremiah
Throughout history, there have been many famous Jeremiahs. From musicians to politicians. Here are some of the more famous people named Jeremiah:
- Jeremiah: Jewish religious Biblical figure.
- Jeremiah Birnbaum: American musician.
- Jeremiah Boyle: American military general.
- Jeremiah Clarke: English composer.
- Jeremiah Everts: American Christian missionary.
- Jeremiah Green: American musician.
- Jeremiah Horrocks: English astronomer.
- Jeremiah Massey: American basketball player.
- Jeremiah Poutasi: American football player.
- Jeremiah Sirles: American football player.
- Jeremiah Tower: American chef.
- Jeremiah Wright: American pastor.
Jeremiah in Popular Culture
The name Jeremiah repeatedly appears throughout popular culture. Whether through books, movies, or television series, chances are you’ve come across the name Jeremiah before.
Here are some examples of Jeremiah being used in popular culture:
- Jeremiah Arkham: Character from the Batman comics.
- Jeremiah Johnson: Character from the 1972 movie “Jeremiah Johnson.”
- Jeremiah Otto: Character from the TV series “Walking Dead.”
- Jeremiah Smith: Character from the TV series “The X-Files.”
- King Jeremiah: Character in the video game “Dark Souls.”
Jeremiah FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the name Jeremiah:
What Does the Name Jeremiah Mean Spiritually?
The name Jeremiah means to hold God above all else. It originates from a combination of the Hebrew word for God, Yahweh, and the Hebrew word for ascension. It is a name that is meant to give praise to the Abrahamic God.
What Is Jeremiah Best Known For?
The name Jeremiah is best known for its ties to Christianity. The prophet Jeremiah was a crucial figure in the religion. He worked to reunite the Israelites with their God. He is known as the “weeping prophet” mentioned in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism (3).
Is the Name Jeremiah Rare?
Jeremiah is not a rare name. It has consistently been in the top 70 most popular boy names in the United States for decades. Variations of Jeremiah are also considered very popular names like Jeremy, Jarrod, and Jerry.
Can a Girl Be Named Jeremiah?
The name Jeremiah is traditionally a boy’s name. However, it can be used as a girl’s name. Using Jeremiah as a girl’s name would be considered unique and rare.
Is There a God Named Jeremiah?
There is not a god named Jeremiah. Jeremiah was a prophet who was said to receive messages from God. He was not a god himself. Jeremiah is said to have authored several books in the New Testament but is also recognized in other religions as an important figure.
Is Jeremiah a Religious Name?
Jeremiah is inherently a religious name. The name is most associated with Christianity. However, it is also mentioned in Judaism and Islam. Given the meaning of the name in ancient Hebrew, Jeremiah is a name that is associated with religion.
