The name is derived from the Hebrew Yirmiyahu, meaning “God exalts” or “God will uplift.” It is a powerful moniker of faith that has been softened by centuries of English usage.
Verdict: Jeremy is the perfect “Goldilocks” choice for a baby born in 2025. It is familiar to everyone but currently underused, meaning your child won’t be one of three Jeremys in his kindergarten class. It offers the vintage charm of names like Oliver or Arthur but with a distinct mid-century flair that is ready for a revival.
Jeremy Overview
- Meaning: Jeremy means “God exalts” and “God will uplift” in Hebrew. It can also mean “sent by God,” “God will raise,” or “God will loosen.”
- Gender: Jeremy is a boy’s name and sometimes a surname.
- Origin: Jeremy is the English and Welsh variant of the Hebrew Jeremiah. It initially referred to a biblical prophet in the Old Testament.
- Pronunciation: Jeremy is pronounced “JHEHR-ah-Mee” or “JHEHR-Mee” in English.
- Popularity: Jeremy ranked in the top 250 boys’ names in the U.S. within the last few years. It also ranked 43rd for boys in Quebec, Canada in 2015.
- Nicknames: Germ, Germey, Jem, Jerbear, Jere, Jerjer, Jermey, Jerry, Jez, Jezza, Remy.
- Variations: Geremy, Jaremay, Jaremi, Jaremy, Jerahmy, Jeramey, Jereme, Jeremi, Jeremie, Jérémie, Jeremih, Jeromy, Yeremey.
- Namesakes: Jeremy Renner, American actor known for the film “Dahmer.” Jeremy Allen White is an American actor known for the series “The Bear.”
What Does Jeremy Mean?
Jeremy is a name rooted in divine optimism. It is the medieval English vernacular form of the Hebrew boy’s name Jeremiah (Yirmiyahu). The etymology is composed of two Hebrew elements: rum, meaning “to exalt” or “to uplift,” and Yah, referring to God. Therefore, the primary and most accepted meaning is “God exalts” or “God will uplift.”
There is some nuance to the translation. Some scholars interpret the root ramah to mean “to loosen” or “to throw,” leading to interpretations like “God casts” or “God loosens” (perhaps referring to the loosening of the womb/birth). However, the “uplifting” definition is the standard accepted meaning in onomatology. It signifies a child who is raised up by the divine, a hopeful sentiment for any parent.
Where Does the Name Jeremy Come From?
While Jeremy feels thoroughly English, its roots travel back to the ancient Near East. It is the Anglicized evolution of Jeremiah, one of the major prophets of the Hebrew Bible. Jeremiah was known as the “Weeping Prophet” for his lamentations over the destruction of Jerusalem, yet his name remains one of hope.
The transition from Jeremiah to Jeremy happened during the Middle Ages. In 13th-century England, the Latin “Jeremias” was shortened in common speech to Jeremy. Interestingly, Jeremy was the standard version of the name used in England for centuries; the full “Jeremiah” only became common again after the Protestant Reformation and the popularity of the King James Bible, when parents sought to return to strictly biblical spellings.
How Popular is the Name Jeremy?
Jeremy is what we classify as a “modern classic.” It is not currently a trendy chart-topper, which is excellent news for parents seeking a recognizable name without the oversaturation of a Top 10 hit.
Jeremy enjoyed a massive meteoric rise in the mid-20th century. It entered the U.S. Top 100 in 1970 and stayed there for decades, becoming a defining name of the Generation X and Millennial cohorts. It reached its absolute peak popularity in the late 1970s, sitting comfortably in the Top 20.
Since the turn of the millennium, Jeremy has slowly cooled off. It has transitioned from a ubiquitous “classroom name” to a steady, established choice. In 2025, it generally sits in the Top 250 range in the United States. It is a “Goldilocks” name: not too hot, not too rare, but just right.
How Do I Pronounce Jeremy?
The standard English pronunciation is straightforward, though it varies slightly by dialect and speed of speech.
- Three Syllables: “JHEHR-ah-mee” (The classic, enunciated pronunciation)
- Two Syllables: “JHEHR-mee” (Common in casual, rapid speech)
Is Jeremy a Boy or Girl Name?
Jeremy is strictly a boy’s name. While names often cross gender lines in the modern era, Jeremy has remained firmly masculine, likely due to its strong biblical ties to the prophet Jeremiah.
There are no direct female equivalents of Jeremy, though “Jeri” or “Gerri” (often short for Geraldine) have been used in the past. If you are looking for a similar sound for a girl, names like Gemima or Remy are closer alternatives.
Variations of Jeremy
Because the root name Jeremiah traveled through the Bible to nearly every corner of the globe, Jeremy has distinct variations in many languages.
- Jérémie: The sophisticated French variation.
- Jeremias: The Spanish and German form, closer to the Latin root.
- Jorma: The Finnish variation, offering a unique Scandinavian twist.
- Yirmiyahu: The original Hebrew form.
- Geremy: An occasional spelling variant found in Hispanic communities or American naming trends.
- Hieremias: The ancient Greek Biblical form.
- Jarmo: Another Finnish diminutive.
Nicknames for Jeremy
Jeremy is a rhythmical name that doesn’t strictly need a nickname, but there are plenty of options ranging from the traditional to the creative.
Traditional Nicknames:
- Jerry: The classic “dad” nickname, shared with Gerald.
- Jem: A vintage literary nickname (seen in To Kill a Mockingbird).
- Jere: A short, breezy abbreviation.
Creative & Rare Nicknames:
- Remy: By isolating the ending (Je-REMY), you get this stylish French name as a nickname.
- Jez: A cool, slightly edgy British nickname common in the UK.
- Rim: A playful short form derived from the Hebrew Yirmeyahu.
- Jay: A simple initial nickname.
Names Similar to Jeremy
If you like the vibe of Jeremy, approachable, biblical, and soft-sounding, but it isn’t quite “the one,” consider these alternatives.
- Joshua: Like Jeremy, this is a soft-spoken “J” name with deep biblical roots that peaked in the late 20th century.
- Jonathan: Shares the three-syllable rhythm and the classic, gentlemanly feel.
- Julian: Offers the same gentle masculinity but feels slightly more modern and Roman.
- Benjamin: Another friendly, vowel-heavy biblical favorite.
- Jason: Shares the soft “J” and the 70s/80s peak popularity curve.
- Tobias: If you like the “Old Testament” vibe but want something slightly quirkier.
- Oliver: Shares the three-syllable structure and English countryside charm.
- Elliott: A name that mirrors Jeremy’s approachable and intellectual “vibe.”
Middle Names for Jeremy
Because Jeremy is a three-syllable name ending in a vowel sound, it pairs beautifully with sturdy, single-syllable names or classic anchors.
Timeless Classics
These pairings anchor Jeremy in history and sound professional and distinguished.
Modern & Edgy
To give the vintage name Jeremy a fresh twist, pair it with something punchy and modern.
- Jeremy Fox
- Jeremy Slate
- Jeremy Wilder
- Jeremy Jude
- Jeremy Grey
Nature & Soft
Lean into the soft sound of Jeremy with nature-inspired middle names.
Sibling Names for Jeremy
Building a sibling set requires matching the “era” or the style of the name.
For a Brother
Brothers for Jeremy often have names that were also popular in the late 20th century or share that solid, biblical foundation.
- Timothy: A perfect match in rhythm and origin.
- Nicholas: Both are classics that offer great nicknames.
- Adam: Simple, strong, and biblical.
- Matthew: A quintessential pair for Jeremy.
- Zachary: Shares the three-syllable bounce.
For a Sister
Sisters for Jeremy tend to have names that are sweet, feminine, and recognizable.
- Melissa: Matches the soft sounds and era popularity.
- Amanda: A classic Latin name that flows well with Jeremy.
- Natalie: Elegant and timeless.
- Stephanie: The feminine counterpart to Stephen, often paired with Jeremy.
- Hannah: A biblical choice that feels grounded and sweet.
Famous People Named Jeremy
Jeremy has been borne by many talented figures, particularly in the arts and entertainment.
- Jeremy Irons: An acclaimed English actor known for his distinctive voice and roles in The Lion King and Reversal of Fortune.
- Jeremy Renner: American actor and Avenger, famous for playing Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- Jeremy Strong: An Emmy-winning American actor best known for his intense portrayal of Kendall Roy in HBO’s Succession.
- Jeremy Clarkson: English broadcaster and journalist, widely known for hosting Top Gear and The Grand Tour.
- Jeremy Lin: Professional basketball player who sparked the “Linsanity” cultural phenomenon in the NBA.
- Jeremy Piven: American actor and producer, known for his role as Ari Gold in the series Entourage.
Jeremy in Pop Culture
- “Jeremy”: The title track of one of Pearl Jam’s most famous (and haunting) songs from the 90s.
- Jeremy Fisher: The titular frog character in Beatrix Potter’s beloved children’s book, The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher.
- Jeremy Gilbert: A main character in the popular TV series The Vampire Diaries.
- Jeremy Hillary Boob: The “Nowhere Man” character from The Beatles’ animated film Yellow Submarine.
FAQs About the Name Jeremy
Here are the answers to the most common questions onomatologists receive about this name.
Is Jeremy a Biblical Name?
Yes and no. The name Jeremy itself does not appear in standard translations of the Bible; it is the Medieval English form of the name. However, the name it is derived from, Jeremiah, is a major biblical name. Jeremiah was a major prophet in the Old Testament who authored the Book of Jeremiah and Lamentations. So while the spelling is English, the roots are entirely biblical.
When Was the Name Jeremy Most Popular?
Jeremy was a defining name of the late 20th century. It entered the top 100 list in 1970 and remained a favorite for over 20 years. Its highest point of popularity was in 1977, when it was the 14th most popular name for boys in the United States. It has since declined but remains a recognizable classic.
What Is the Difference Between Jeremy and Jeremiah?
The primary difference is origin and “vibe.” Jeremiah is the direct transliteration of the Hebrew Yirmiyahu and feels more formal, ancient, and religious. Jeremy is the Anglicized version that evolved in the Middle Ages; it feels more casual, lighter, and secular. Jeremiah has actually overtaken Jeremy in popularity in recent years as parents return to “full” biblical names.
What Is the Latin Word for Jeremy?
Jeremy relates to the Latin Jeremias, which appeared in the 6th- and 7th-centuries BCE. It’s still associated with the Hebrew Yirmeyah, meaning “may Jehovah exalt,” or Yirmeyahu, meaning “the Lord casts.” Both the Latin Jeremiaas and Hebrew Jeremiah transformed over the centuries into the mostly Anglo Jeremy we have today.
What Is Jeremy in the Bible?
The Old Testament’s Book of Jeremiah (also the Hebrew form of Jeremy), depicts the biblical character as the “weeping prophet.” Jeremiah is said to be the author of the biblical book, along with the Book of Kings and the Book of Lamentations. Tradition says Jeremiah wrote with the help of a scribe, Baruch ben Neriah, his disciple.
What Is the Russian Name for Jeremy?
Jeremy may exist in Russian culture as the equivalent of George, but it is more closely linked to the Hebrew Jeremy. It appears as Georgy, but another more traditional form of Jeremy in Russian seems to be Yeremai, Yefrem, or even Ephraim, meaning “fruitful.” Some claim Yuri is also connected, but it’s more closely regarded as a short form of George.
