Nehemiah
Nehemiah is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Comforted by Yahweh or God comforts.
Origin and history
Nehemiah is a biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning 'God comforts' or 'comforted by Yahweh'. Historically associated with the Old Testament figure who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, it has experienced a notable rise in popularity in the United States since the late 20th century. Modern parents often select it as an uncommon yet traditional biblical alternative to names like Jeremiah or Isaiah.
Popularity in the United States
21,804 babies in the United States have been named Nehemiah since 1880. It ranks #797 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #420.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.4 %)
- TX (12 %)
- FL (7.7 %)
- GA (5.4 %)
- NC (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 7 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 95 |
| 1920-1930 | 182 |
| 1930-1940 | 128 |
| 1940-1950 | 103 |
| 1950-1960 | 146 |
| 1960-1970 | 132 |
| 1970-1980 | 235 |
| 1980-1990 | 705 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,137 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,516 |
| 2010-2019 | 8,926 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,492 |
Famous people named Nehemiah
- Nehemiah Persoff: Actor
Nicknames
Niah, Nee, Miah
Fun facts
- In the Old Testament, Nehemiah was a high official in the Persian court who oversaw the rebuilding of Jerusalem's city walls.
- While used historically in Puritan New England, the name saw a significant surge in U.S. usage starting in the late 1990s.