Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Jerome has its origins in the Greek name Hieronymos, which translates to 'sacred name'. It evolved through Latin and Old French into its modern form. The name is associated with religious significance due to Saint Jerome's contributions to Christianity. It carries traits of wisdom and scholarship, with no direct biblical relevance. The name has maintained a sense of respect and traditional appeal throughout history.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/dʒəˈroʊm/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Jerome is derived from the Greek name Hieronymos, which means 'sacred name' or 'holy name'. It combines the elements 'hieros' meaning 'sacred' and 'onoma' meaning 'name'.
Meaning
sacred name, holy name
Language Evolution
Hieronymos (Greek), Jerome (Latin), Jerome (Old French), Jerome (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Jerome gained popularity due to Saint Jerome, a Christian scholar and translator, known for his Latin Vulgate Bible translation in the 4th century. His influence in the Church contributed to the name's prominence in Christian communities.
Variants & Derivatives
Geronimo, Jeromy, Jeroen, Jerom, Hieronim
Modern Popularity & Image
Jerome is perceived as a traditional and classic name, often associated with wisdom and scholarly pursuits. It has a strong historical and religious connotation, which contributes to its continued respect and use.
Famous People
Saint Jerome, Jerome K. Jerome, Jerome Bettis, Jerome Powell
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,129 peak births in 1954
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in North Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (4 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 4 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 130th of 7545 | 20,331 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 109th of 6773 | 35,155 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 123rd of 7552 | 53,094 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 170th of 10718 | 25,410 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 251st of 16616 | 16,408 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 565th of 24088 | 6,837 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 935th of 23106 | 2,777 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2850th of 9107 | 179 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2676th of 9204 | 201 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2768th of 12526 | 326 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4110th of 19264 | 234 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 8671st of 27321 | 122 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
6.78% 96th/1416 |
6.31% 87th/1379 |
10.19% 241st/2366 |
20.75% 237th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
4.14% 64th/1546 |
5.01% 78th/1556 |
8.29% 195th/2353 |
12.15% 188th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
4.27% 95th/2227 |
4.16% 101st/2430 |
4.35% 124th/2853 |
7.32% 203rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
5.07% 149th/2937 |
4.36% 152nd/3483 |
4.46% 157th/3518 |
5.91% 239th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
5.92% 218th/3685 |
4.67% 209th/4475 |
4.49% 233rd/5194 |
5.30% 335th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
11.15% 511th/4582 |
9.90% 511th/5164 |
7.62% 557th/7313 |
8.51% 635th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
19.88% 792nd/3984 |
20.70% 929th/4487 |
14.16% 966th/6822 |
18.28% 1147th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
100.00% 1546th/1546 |
- | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in North Dakota across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, falling for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 130th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 109th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 123rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 170th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 251st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 565th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 935th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2850th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2676th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2768th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4110th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8671st out of 27321 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.