Jerome
Jerome is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Sacred name or holy name.
Origin and history
Jerome is derived from the Ancient Greek name Hieronymos, meaning sacred name. It entered English via Old French and Latin and was widely used throughout Christian history in honor of Saint Jerome. Though it was a prominent classic name in the U.S. during the mid-20th century, its contemporary usage has become much less frequent.
Popularity in the United States
161,234 babies in the United States have been named Jerome since 1880. It ranks #211 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1046.
States where it is most popular
- NY (11.4 %)
- IL (8.3 %)
- PA (6.5 %)
- WI (5.8 %)
- MI (5.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 426 |
| 1890-1900 | 551 |
| 1900-1910 | 972 |
| 1910-1920 | 7,405 |
| 1920-1930 | 15,453 |
| 1930-1940 | 18,965 |
| 1940-1950 | 23,110 |
| 1950-1960 | 29,705 |
| 1960-1970 | 22,295 |
| 1970-1980 | 14,783 |
| 1980-1990 | 12,187 |
| 1990-2000 | 7,231 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,264 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,817 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,070 |
Famous people named Jerome
- Jerome Kern: Composer
- Jerome Bettis: Athlete
- Jerome Powell: Central Banker, Attorney
Nicknames
Jerry, Jay, Rome
Fun facts
- The name combines the Greek elements 'hieros' (sacred) and 'onyma' (name).
- Saint Jerome's massive work translating scripture led him to become the patron saint of translators and librarians.