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Neriah

♀ Girl

Pronounced neh-RY-uh /nɛˈɹaɪ.ə/High

Meaning: Lamp of God or light of the Lord; from the Hebrew Neriyah, combining ner meaning lamp or light and Yah, a shortened form of YahwehHigh

In 30 seconds: Neriah means lamp of God in Hebrew, a rare biblical name combining ner (light) and Yah (God), giving it deep scriptural roots and a radiant meaning that resonates with spiritual parents seeking uncommon choices.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningLamp of God or light of the Lord; from the Hebrew Neriyah, combining ner meaning lamp or light and Yah, a shortened form of Yahweh

U.S. rank (2025)#762 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births356 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,645

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

Neriah derives from the Hebrew Neriyah, composed of ner (lamp, light) and Yah (a shortened divine name). The name appears in the Old Testament as the father of Baruch and Seraiah. The same root ner appears in the Hanukkah menorah, the lamp that is central to Jewish liturgy.

In biblical Hebrew, Neriah was a masculine name, but in modern American usage it has transitioned predominantly to a girls name. It follows the pattern of many Hebrew biblical names that have been adopted as feminine names in contemporary use. Its rarity and meaningful origin have driven slow but steady growth in the United States.

Did you know? In the Hebrew Bible, Neriah was the father of Baruch, the devoted scribe and companion of the prophet Jeremiah who recorded Jeremiah's prophecies. This makes the name closely connected to one of the most significant prophetic books of the Old Testament.

Overall data confidence 91%

Behind the Name — Neriah — Hebrew etymology and biblical usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

NeriaNeriyaNerriah

Nicknames

NeriRia

Famous Bearers

★Neriah (c. 6th century BC)
Neriah (Hebrew: נֵרִיָּה, meaning lamp of the LORD) is a figure in the Hebrew Bible named in the Book of Jeremiah (32:12 and 51:59) as the son of Mahseiah and father of Baruch ben Neriah and Seraiah ben Neriah; the Talmud lists him and his sons as prophets. His son Baruch became the trusted scribe and companion of the prophet Jeremiah, transcribing two editions of Jeremiah's prophetic oracles under royal threat, preserving one of the most significant prophetic texts of the ancient Near East. Three clay bullae bearing the names of Neriah's sons have been identified by archaeologists — including one with Baruch's seal and a possible fingerprint, now in the Israel Museum — providing rare physical evidence linking this biblical family to the historical record.

If you like Neriah…

Azaria— same Hebrew -iah ending with a luminous meaning

Moriah— shares the Hebrew -iah divine suffix and biblical significance

Zariah— fellow modern feminine use of a Hebrew -iah name

Neriyah— shares Neriah's Hebrew roots

Keziah— another biblical pick

Explore names like Neriah

By themehebrew biblical three-syllable rare spiritual light-meaning

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Neriah mean?

Neriah means lamp of God or light of the Lord, from the Hebrew ner (lamp) and Yah (God).

How do you pronounce Neriah?

It is said neh-RY-uh, three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Neriah a biblical name?

Yes, Neriah appears in the Old Testament as the father of Baruch, the scribe of the prophet Jeremiah.

Is Neriah a boy or girl name?

Neriah was a masculine name in the Bible but is used predominantly as a girls name in modern American usage.