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Home › Baby Names Directory › Jeremiah

Jeremiah

♀ Girl

Pronounced jair-uh-MY-uh /ˌdʒɛr.əˈmaɪ.ə/High

Meaning: Jeremiah is the English form of Hebrew Yirmeyahu, usually read as 'the Lord exalts' or 'appointed by God'. It is the name of the Old Testament prophet whose book bears it. In the U.S. it is overwhelmingly a boys' name; girls' use is very rare, and we note the lean clearly.Medium

In 30 seconds: A great biblical name: Jeremiah is the Hebrew prophet, 'the Lord exalts' (said 'jair-uh-MY-uh'). It is overwhelmingly a boy's name — we note the lean clearly.
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Origin MediumHebrew
MeaningJeremiah is the English form of Hebrew Yirmeyahu, usually read as 'the Lord exalts' or 'appointed by God'. It is the name of the Old Testament prophet whose book bears it. In the U.S. it is overwhelmingly a boys' name; girls' use is very rare, and we note the lean clearly.
U.S. rank (2024)#14191 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2004
Total births (all-time)≈ 690

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200419732024

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

Jeremiah renders Hebrew Yirmeyahu, generally read as 'the Lord exalts' or 'appointed by God'. He was the prophet of Judah in its last days, author of the book that carries his name and, by tradition, of Lamentations. English-speaking families have used the name for centuries — but almost entirely for boys. Its use here for a girl runs strongly against that grain, and we say so plainly (said 'jair-uh-MY-uh').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S., against very heavy boys' use. Biblical, weighty, and boy-leaning.

Did you know? Jeremiah was the prophet whose long lament gave English the word 'jeremiad'. The name is overwhelmingly a boys' name in the U.S.; girls' use is very rare, which we note clearly (said 'jair-uh-MY-uh').
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Jeremiah — Hebrew Yirmeyahu, 'the Lord exalts'; Old Testament prophet; overwhelmingly male in U.S. use

Variations

JeremiasJeremyYirmeyahu

Nicknames

JemMiahRemy

Famous Bearers

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If you like Jeremiah…

Miah— the girls' short form drawn from Jeremiah
Mariah— a like -iah ending used for girls
Jerusha— a like biblical name used for girls
Zipporah— another Hebrew name from Scripture

Explore names like Jeremiah

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jeremiah mean?

Jeremiah comes from Hebrew Yirmeyahu, usually read as 'the Lord exalts' or 'appointed by God'. It is the name of an Old Testament prophet.

How do you pronounce Jeremiah?

It's said jair-uh-MY-uh /ˌdʒɛr.əˈmaɪ.ə/ — four syllables, stress on the third.

Is Jeremiah a boy or girl name?

Jeremiah is overwhelmingly a boy's name. Girls' use is very rare — we note the lean clearly so families choose with open eyes.

How popular is Jeremiah?

Jeremiah is very popular for boys in the U.S. and rare for girls.

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