Jair
Jair is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
He shines or he enlightens.
Origin and history
Jair is a biblical name derived from Hebrew meaning 'he shines' or 'he enlightens'. In the Old Testament, Jair was a descendant of Manasseh and a judge of Israel. The name has seen moderate, steady usage in the United States, often chosen by families seeking a distinct biblical option.
Popularity in the United States
7,258 babies in the United States have been named Jair since 1880. It ranks #1421 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #967.
States where it is most popular
- CA (27 %)
- TX (19.9 %)
- NY (9 %)
- IL (6.7 %)
- FL (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 54 |
| 1980-1990 | 154 |
| 1990-2000 | 710 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,934 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,170 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,236 |
Famous people named Jair
- Jair Jurrjens: Baseball player
Fun facts
- In the Book of Numbers and the Book of Judges, Jair is recorded as a ruler who had thirty sons that rode thirty donkeys.
- The original Hebrew form Yair remains extremely popular in Israel, while Jair is the traditional Latinized rendering.