Shemaiah is a unique and distinctive male given name of Hebrew origin. The name Shemaiah is derived from the Hebrew word "shama," which means "to hear" or "listen." It is often associated with the idea of obedience and attentiveness.
In the Bible, Shemaiah is mentioned as one of the chief priests during the reign of King Manasseh in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 34:12). He was a prominent figure who played a significant role in the religious life of the kingdom. This historical context has contributed to the name's enduring appeal among people of Jewish faith and those interested in biblical history.
Throughout history, Shemaiah has been a popular name among Jewish communities around the world. It is often given to boys born into religious families or on significant occasions such as the Passover holiday or other celebrations of the Jewish calendar. Despite its historical and cultural significance, Shemaiah remains relatively uncommon outside of Jewish circles.
Today, parents continue to choose the name Shemaiah for their sons in honor of its biblical heritage and meaningful origin. It is a name that carries a sense of tradition and spirituality while also conveying a strong and dignified presence. Although it may be less commonly heard than some other Hebrew names, Shemaiah stands out as a unique and powerful choice for parents seeking a distinctive and meaningful moniker for their child.
In summary, the name Shemaiah is of Hebrew origin, derived from the word "shama" meaning "to hear." It has historical significance due to its association with one of the chief priests during the reign of King Manasseh in Jerusalem. Throughout history, Shemaiah has been a popular choice among Jewish communities and continues to be given to boys today in honor of its biblical heritage. Despite its relative rarity outside of Jewish circles, Shemaiah remains an attractive option for parents seeking a distinctive and meaningful name for their son.
Based on the statistics provided, it's interesting to observe the trends of the name Shemaiah over time in the United States.
The first recorded birth with this name occurred in 1979, with five babies being named Shemaiah that year. This number remained consistent for several years, with another five births occurring in 1983 and again in 1984. The number of births then fluctuated between five to ten until reaching a peak of fifteen births in both 1999 and 2002.
From 2006 onwards, the popularity of the name Shemaiah began to decline steadily, with fewer than ten births recorded each year until it reached its lowest point at just five births in 2014. However, there was a slight resurgence between 2015 and 2023, with seven or more births occurring annually during this period.
In total, over the course of these years, there were 264 babies named Shemaiah born in the United States. This shows that while it may not be one of the most popular names, there has been a consistent presence of the name Shemaiah among newborns across several decades.