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Ermias

♂ Boy

Pronounced ER-mee-us /ˈɜːr.mi.əs/High

Meaning: Yahweh is exalted; Amharic and Ge'ez form of Jeremiah, from Hebrew Yirmeyahu (Yahweh will exalt)High

In 30 seconds: The Amharic and Ge'ez (Ethiopian) form of Jeremiah, meaning 'Yahweh is exalted.' Best known as the birth name of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle — born Ermias Joseph Asghedom — the name carries both ancient Ethiopian Christian heritage and modern hip-hop significance.
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Origin HighHebrew, Amharic
MeaningYahweh is exalted; Amharic and Ge'ez form of Jeremiah, from Hebrew Yirmeyahu (Yahweh will exalt)
U.S. rank (2024)#987 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births227 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2019
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,060

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201919992024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Ermias is the Amharic form of Jeremiah (Hebrew Yirmeyahu: Yahweh will exalt or Yahweh will appoint). It is a traditional name in Ethiopian and Eritrean Christian communities, where the Ethiopian Orthodox Church uses Ge'ez and Amharic forms of biblical names.

Ermias appeared in U.S. birth data primarily from the 2000s–2010s in Ethiopian and Eritrean diaspora communities. It ranked #987 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Nipsey Hussle (Ermias Asghedom, 1985–2019) was an Eritrean-American rapper who was deeply community-minded — before his murder, he had opened a STEM center in his Crenshaw neighborhood, helping local youth access science and technology education.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Ermias — Amharic/Hebrew etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

JeremiahYirmeyahu

Nicknames

ErmErmi

Famous Bearers

  • ★Nipsey Hussle (Ermias Asghedom) (1985–2019)
    American rapper, entrepreneur, and community activist of Eritrean descent, born Ermias Asghedom. He won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance (2020, posthumously) and was murdered in Los Angeles in 2019.

If you like Ermias…

Haile— Amharic/Ethiopian masculine name in the same East African Christian tradition
Dawit— Amharic form of David, in the same Ethiopian naming space
Tekle— Amharic masculine name in the same Ethiopian Orthodox tradition
Yonas— Amharic form of Jonas/Jonah in the same tradition
Daniel— Hebrew biblical name used across both Jewish and Ethiopian Christian traditions

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ermias mean?

Ermias means 'Yahweh is exalted,' the Amharic form of Jeremiah, from Hebrew Yirmeyahu.

How do you pronounce Ermias?

It's said ER-mee-us — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ermias a boy or girl name?

Ermias is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Ermias?

Ermias ranked #987 for U.S. boys in 2024.