Merab is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the verb "ramah," which means "to be high" or "to be exalted." It appears in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Book of Chronicles, where it is the name of one of King David's sons.
In Jewish tradition, Merab has been used as a male given name for centuries. However, its use has not been widespread, making it somewhat uncommon even among Hebrew names. The name does not have any specific feast days or associated traditions beyond those related to the biblical figure.
While there are no known historical figures named Merab besides the biblical one, the name has appeared in literature and popular culture throughout history. For instance, in George Eliot's novel "Daniel Deronda," one of the characters is named Merle, which is a variation of Merab.
In terms of popularity, Merab is not a common name globally. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, for example, no babies were named Merab in 2019 or any other recent year with available data.
Overall, Merab is a unique and distinctive name with a strong biblical connection, offering a meaningful option for parents seeking an uncommon name of Hebrew origin.
The statistics provided indicate that the name Merab has had a consistent but relatively low presence among newborns in the United States over the past two decades. Between the years 2000 and 2023, there have been a total of 55 babies named Merab.
Interestingly, the number of births with this name has remained steady at 6 per year from 2000 to 2016, suggesting that it had a small but loyal following during this period. However, there was a notable increase in popularity between 2021 and 2023, with 5 babies named Merab in 2021, followed by 8 in 2022, and then a significant jump to 12 in 2023.
This recent rise could indicate that the name Merab is gaining traction among American parents, although it remains far from being one of the most popular choices. Nonetheless, with a total of 55 babies named Merab over the course of 24 years, this unique name continues to make its mark in the United States.