Nehemiah is a name of Hebrew origin that means "comforter" or "consoler". It is derived from the Hebrew word "nechemyah", which is composed of the elements "nehama", meaning comfort, and "yah", which refers to God.
The name Nehemiah appears in the Old Testament of the Bible. He was a Jewish leader who played a significant role in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls after the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah held the position of cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I of Persia, and when he heard about the poor condition of Jerusalem, he requested permission from the king to return to his homeland and help with the restoration efforts.
Nehemiah is a unique name that has been passed down through generations in Jewish communities. Today, it is still used as a given name for boys, but it is relatively rare compared to more popular names like Noah or Daniel. Despite its rarity, Nehemiah remains a meaningful and significant name with a rich historical context.
In some cultures, the name Nehemiah may also be associated with other meanings or traditions specific to that community. However, the original Hebrew meaning of "comforter" or "consoler" is universally recognized and continues to resonate with those who bear this distinctive name.
The name Nehamiah has seen a steady increase in popularity over the past decade in the United States. In 2006, there were 6 babies named Nehamiah, marking the start of this unique name's journey into the American consciousness.
In the following year, 2007, the number of newborns given the name Nehamiah rose slightly to 7, indicating that parents were beginning to consider this distinctive moniker for their children. This upward trend continued in 2008 with another increase, reaching a total of 8 babies named Nehamiah.
The year 2009 was a turning point for the name Nehamiah, as it experienced a significant surge in popularity with 14 newborns being given this name. This notable jump suggests that Nehamiah may have been gaining traction among parents looking for a distinctive and memorable name for their child.
However, after its peak in 2009, the number of babies named Nehamiah began to fluctuate slightly but remained relatively stable. In both 2010 and 2011, 7 newborns were given this name each year, showing that while it may not have been as popular as it was in 2009, Nehamiah continued to be a choice for parents seeking an uncommon name.
In the most recent year with available data, 2012, the number of babies named Nehamiah increased once again to 8. This suggests that while Nehamiah may not be one of the most popular names in the United States, it continues to hold steady as a unique and meaningful choice for parents.
In total, over these seven years (from 2006 to 2012), there were 57 babies named Nehamiah born in the United States. This demonstrates that while the name may not be extremely common, it has managed to carve out a niche for itself among American parents looking for something distinctive and special for their children.