Jair

♂ Boy

Pronounced JAH-eer /ˈdʒɑː.ɪər/High

Meaning: He shines; he diffuses light; from Hebrew Ya'ir (to shine, to enlighten, to give light)High

In 30 seconds: A Hebrew biblical name meaning 'he shines' or 'he diffuses light,' from Ya'ir (to enlighten). Several biblical figures bear this name, including a judge of Israel and the father of Mordecai in the Book of Esther.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningHe shines; he diffuses light; from Hebrew Ya'ir (to shine, to enlighten, to give light)

U.S. rank (2025)#1193 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births170 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2003

Total births (all-time)≈ 7,257

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Jair is from Hebrew Ya'ir (to shine, to give light, to enlighten). Several biblical figures bear this name: Jair the Gileadite (a judge), the father of Mordecai (Book of Esther), and others. As a given name it is used in Jewish and Latin American communities.

Jair ranked #1170 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Jair the Gileadite was a judge of Israel for 22 years (Judges 10:3–5) — and the text notes he had 30 sons who rode 30 donkeys and controlled 30 towns, giving him one of the most memorably enumerated legacy descriptions in the Hebrew Bible.

Overall data confidence 91%

Behind the Name — Jair — Hebrew etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

YairJairus

Nicknames

Jai

Famous Bearers

★Jair the Gileadite (biblical)
A judge of Israel in the Hebrew Bible (Judges 10:3–5), said to have led Israel for 22 years and to have had 30 sons.

If you like Jair…

Yair— the Hebrew form of the same name

Ori— Hebrew name meaning my light in the same luminous tradition

Ahmir— echoes that soft -ir sound

Avir— a similarly popular pick

Abir— echoes that soft -ir sound

Explore names like Jair

By themehebrew biblical two-syllable light

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jair mean?

Jair means 'he shines' or 'he diffuses light,' from Hebrew Ya'ir (to enlighten, to give light).

How do you pronounce Jair?

It's said JAH-eer — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Jair a boy or girl name?

Jair is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Jair?

Jair ranked #1170 for U.S. boys in 2024.