IPA Pronunciation

/ˈdʒɛr.ə.mi/

Say It Like

JER-uh-mee

Syllables

3

trisyllabic

Jeremy is an English variant of the name Jeremiah, which is of Hebrew origin. The name Jeremiah means 'Yahweh will exalt' or 'appointed by God', derived from the Hebrew components 'Yirmeyahu'.

Cultural Significance of Jeremy

Jeremy has been a popular name in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. It gained prominence during the medieval period and has been consistently used, thanks in part to its biblical roots.

Jeremy Name Popularity in 2025

Jeremy remains a moderately popular name, though it peaked in popularity in the late 20th century. It is often chosen for its classic and biblical roots, combined with a modern feel.

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Popular Nicknames5

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International Variations8

JeremiahJeremieJeramyJeremiasJérémyJeromaYeremiyahuGermán

Name Energy & Essence

The name Jeremy carries the essence of “Unknown” from English tradition. Names beginning with "J" often embody qualities of justice, optimism, and leadership.

Symbolism

The name Jeremy symbolizes divine appointment and exaltation, reflecting its biblical origins.

Cultural Significance

Jeremy has been a popular name in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. It gained prominence during the medieval period and has been consistently used, thanks in part to its biblical roots.

Jeremy Bentham

Philosopher

Bentham's ideas laid the foundation for modern discussions on ethics and law.

  • Founder of modern utilitarianism

Jeremy Taylor

Cleric and Theologian

Known for his poetic style and influence in Anglican theology.

  • Influential works on Christian practice

Hebrew Bible

יִרְמְיָהוּ

Pronunciation: Yirmeyahu

Meaning: Yahweh will exalt

Spiritual Meaning

The name represents divine appointment and the prophetic call to speak truth and justice.

Scripture References

Jeremiah 1:1

The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin.

Introduction of the prophet Jeremiah, conveying his divine mission.

Source: Book of Jeremiah

Notable Figures

Jeremiah
Prophet

A major prophet in the Hebrew Bible renowned for his prophecies and lamentations.

Jeremiah served as a prophet during the fall of Jerusalem and was known for warning of the impending Babylonian captivity.

His prophecies and writings play a crucial role in both Jewish and Christian traditions.

Jewish Tradition

Jeremiah is one of the major Prophets in Judaism, known for his perseverance and dedication to God's message.

New Testament

Ἰερεμίας

Pronunciation: Ieremias

Meaning: Yahweh will exalt

Spiritual Meaning

Represents the continuity of God's message through generations.

Scripture References

Matthew 2:17

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah.

Reference to prophecies regarding the massacre of the innocents.

Source: Gospel of Matthew

Notable Figures

Jeremiah
Prophet

His prophecies are cited to affirm the fulfillment of messianic prophecies.

Jeremiah's words are often referenced to show the continuity of prophecy from the Old Testament into the New Testament.

He is a testament to the consistency and reliability of biblical prophecy.

Saint Connection

Jeremiah is revered as a prophet who foretold the coming of Christ.

Jeremy Clarkson

Television Presenter

1988-present

  • Hosting 'Top Gear' and 'The Grand Tour'

Zoolander ()

Hansel McDonald

A rival model to Derek Zoolander who becomes one of his allies.

The Avengers ()

Clint Barton / Hawkeye

A skilled archer and S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.

Jeremy ()

Jeremy Jones

A story about a teenage boy who falls in love with a girl.

Jeremías

🇪🇸spanish

Jérémy

🇫🇷french

Geremia

🇮🇹italian

Jeremias

🇩🇪german

ジェレミー

🇯🇵japanese

杰里米

🇨🇳chinese

جيريمي

🇸🇦arabic

ירמיהו

🇮🇱hebrew

Fun Fact About Jeremy

Jeremy was a popular name during the 1970s and 1980s, often associated with intellectual and artistic personas.

Personality Traits for Jeremy

Individuals named Jeremy are often perceived as intelligent, charismatic, and reliable. They are seen as leaders who are thoughtful and considerate.

What does the name Jeremy mean?

Jeremy is a English name meaning "Unknown". Jeremy is an English variant of the name Jeremiah, which is of Hebrew origin. The name Jeremiah means 'Yahweh will exalt' or 'appointed by God', derived from the Hebrew components 'Yirmeyahu'.

Is Jeremy a popular baby name?

Yes, Jeremy is a popular baby name! It has 3 famous people and celebrity babies with this name.

What is the origin of the name Jeremy?

The name Jeremy has English origins. Jeremy has been a popular name in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. It gained prominence during the medieval period and has been consistently used, thanks in part to its biblical roots.

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Introduction (engaging hook about Jeremy)

I’ve spent my life calling the biggest names in sports—roaring arenas, last-second shots, overtime heartbreakers—the whole beautiful circus. And yet, when it comes to baby names, I get just as fired up. Because a name is the first jersey your kid ever wears. It’s what gets announced on the first day of school like it’s a starting lineup. It’s what ends up scribbled on trophies, diplomas, and maybe—if the universe is feeling generous—highlight reels.

So let’s talk about Jeremy.

Jeremy is one of those names that feels like it’s always been in the rotation. Not trendy in a flash-in-the-pan way, not ancient in a dusty-scroll way—just steady, like a veteran starter who keeps showing up season after season. You can imagine a Jeremy as the kid who helps stack chairs after practice, the teen who’s got a little edge and a lot of curiosity, the adult who can walk into a room and hold his own. It’s friendly, familiar, and flexible. And even though I’m “Sports Encyclopedia” Mike Rodriguez, I’ll tell you straight: you don’t need an athlete attached to a name for it to feel like a winner.

This post is going to break down Jeremy like game film—its meaning (or what we do and don’t know), its English roots, its historical heavyweights, its celebrity shine, its popularity staying power, and the nicknames that make it play multiple positions. Then we’ll end with the big question: Is Jeremy right for your baby?

What Does Jeremy Mean? (meaning, etymology)

Let’s go right to the stat sheet—and here’s where things get interesting. The provided data says the meaning of Jeremy is unknown. That’s not me dodging the question; that’s the official call based on what we’ve got.

Now, as a historian by nature, I’ll tell you that “unknown” meanings happen more often than people think when you’re working strictly from a set dataset. Names travel across borders, shift spellings, pick up cultural baggage, and sometimes the original meaning gets lost in the noise like a play call swallowed by a roaring crowd. What we can say with confidence, from the data you gave me, is this:

  • Name: Jeremy
  • Meaning: Unknown

And honestly? There’s something kind of powerful about that. Some parents want a name that comes with a neatly packaged definition—“brave lion,” “gift of God,” “warrior poet.” Jeremy doesn’t hand you that on a silver platter here. Instead, it gives you a blank canvas with a bold outline. It’s like drafting a player who doesn’t come with a flashy scouting comp—just a solid frame, good fundamentals, and room to become whoever he’s meant to be.

Meaning isn’t only etymology anyway. Meaning is lived. Meaning is the stories your kid racks up. It’s the way the name sounds when you say it with pride, with frustration, with laughter, with tears. And Jeremy—say it out loud—has that smooth rhythm. Three syllables, clean finish. It doesn’t trip over itself. It doesn’t try too hard. It just… plays.

Origin and History (where the name comes from)

Now here’s a stat we do have: Jeremy is English in origin.

  • Origin: English

And when a name is described as English in origin, that typically tells you something important about where it settled, where it became standardized, where it showed up in records, literature, and everyday life. English-origin names often have that familiar, classic structure—easy to pronounce, easy to spell, strong presence without being overly ornate.

Jeremy also comes with a key note from your dataset on its timeline: - Popularity: This name has been popular across different eras

That’s the kind of consistency coaches dream about. Not just one good season—a career.

I’ve always liked names that can time-travel. Names that fit on a birth announcement today, but also wouldn’t look out of place on a dusty library card from 200 years ago. Jeremy has that “multi-era” quality. It can be buttoned-up or laid-back. It can be the name of a philosopher, a preacher, an actor, a TV presenter, or the kid next door who’s learning to ride a bike.

And while we’re not going beyond the dataset into extra etymological claims, we can say this with certainty: Jeremy has historical traction. Not just because it’s English, but because we have documented notable figures—real ones, with real years and real accomplishments—carrying the name into public memory.

Famous Historical Figures Named Jeremy

This is where I lean forward in the booth, because history is my replay monitor. You gave me two historical giants named Jeremy, and each one brings a completely different energy to the name—like two athletes who play different sports but share the same competitive fire.

Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832) — Founder of modern utilitarianism

Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832) is listed in your data as the founder of modern utilitarianism. That’s not a small title. That’s “changed how people argue about ethics and policy” territory. Bentham is the kind of thinker whose influence stretches way beyond his lifetime—like a coach whose system gets copied for generations.

When I think of Bentham carrying the name Jeremy, I picture the name gaining a certain intellectual weight. Not stiff, not snobby—more like serious-minded. A name that can sit at a desk surrounded by books and still feel grounded. Bentham is proof that Jeremy can be the name on the cover of a big idea.

And here’s my broadcaster’s take: every name has “legacy points.” Bentham scores big there. When a name has been worn by someone who shaped an entire school of thought, it earns a kind of quiet authority.

Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667) — Influential works on Christian practice

Then you’ve got Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667), noted for influential works on Christian practice. That’s a different lane from Bentham, but it’s still high-impact. Taylor’s contribution is tied to faith, community, and guidance—writing meant to shape how people live.

Names pick up tone from their namesakes. Taylor gives Jeremy a spiritual, reflective dimension. Not preachy—more like steady. The kind of name you’d trust to deliver a thoughtful speech, write something meaningful, or be the person who shows up when you need them.

So when we talk about the “history” of Jeremy, we’re not talking about a name that floated through time unnoticed. We’re talking about a name attached to:

  • A major philosophical founder: Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832)
  • A major religious writer: Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667)

That’s range. That’s versatility. That’s a name that has played on big stages.

Celebrity Namesakes

Now let’s bring the lights up. Because if history is the foundation, celebrity is the billboard. A name gets a second wind when famous people carry it into modern conversations—and Jeremy has some heavy hitters here too.

Jeremy Irons — Actor (Oscar-winning roles in film and television)

Jeremy Irons is listed as an actor with Oscar-winning roles in film and television. Even if you’re not the kind of person who tracks awards, you know what an Oscar implies: peak performance, craft, and staying power.

Irons gives Jeremy a sleek, artistic polish. The name sounds refined without being fragile. It can wear a tux, sure—but it can also roll up its sleeves. And in my experience, parents often want a name that can age well: cute on a toddler, credible on a resume, dignified at 50. A name associated with a respected, award-winning actor helps reinforce that “grown-up” strength.

Jeremy Clarkson — Television Presenter (Hosting “Top Gear” and “The Grand Tour”)

Now flip the channel and you’ve got Jeremy Clarkson, a television presenter known for hosting “Top Gear” and “The Grand Tour.” Clarkson brings a totally different vibe—more loud, more bold, more “say it and deal with the consequences.”

And I’ll tell you: that matters. Because names aren’t only about elegance. Sometimes a name needs personality. Clarkson’s public persona—built around cars, commentary, and big opinions—gives Jeremy an edge. Not in a reckless way, but in a “this guy has presence” way. The kind of name you can imagine grabbing a microphone and owning the room.

So celebrity-wise, Jeremy covers a wide spectrum:

  • Jeremy Irons: prestige, artistry, Oscar-level excellence
  • Jeremy Clarkson: mainstream recognition, big voice, pop-culture footprint

That’s another point for Jeremy’s versatility. It doesn’t get stuck in one stereotype.

Popularity Trends

Here’s the key popularity stat you provided, and it’s a good one:

  • Popularity: This name has been popular across different eras

That line tells me Jeremy isn’t just a “moment” name. It’s not the kind of name that spikes for five years and disappears. It has the kind of durability that makes it feel familiar in multiple generations—like a classic team logo that still looks sharp decades later.

When a name is popular across different eras, a few things tend to be true in real life:

  • People generally know how to pronounce it.
  • People generally know how to spell it.
  • It doesn’t feel overly dated to one specific decade.
  • It has enough familiarity to be approachable, but enough substance to feel established.

Now, does that mean your child will be the only Jeremy in a classroom? Not necessarily. But it also means Jeremy won’t feel like a risky gamble. In naming terms, it’s a high-floor pick—the kind of choice that’s unlikely to cause trouble later.

And let me get personal for a second. I’ve met Jeremys of different ages—kids, adults, old friends of friends—and I’ve never once thought, “That name doesn’t fit.” That’s rare. Some names feel like they belong to one era only. Jeremy adapts. It’s like a player who can thrive in different systems, different coaches, different eras of the game.

Nicknames and Variations

Now we get to one of my favorite parts, because nicknames are like a name’s highlight package—the quick cuts, the crowd favorites, the versions that show personality.

Your dataset gives us a strong bench of nicknames:

  • Nicknames: Jerry, Jem, Jez, Remy, Jemmy

Let’s break that down like a depth chart.

  • Jerry: Classic, friendly, familiar. This is the “down-to-earth” option—like the guy everybody knows at the neighborhood barbecue.
  • Jem: Short, sharp, slightly modern. Jem feels like the nickname of someone witty, maybe artistic, maybe a little rebellious.
  • Jez: This one has attitude. Jez sounds like a friend who texts you first, who cracks jokes, who keeps things moving.
  • Remy: Smooth and stylish. Remy gives Jeremy a whole different flavor—almost like a name within the name.
  • Jemmy: Warm, youthful, affectionate. This feels like what a grandparent might say, or what sticks when your kid is little and you can’t imagine them ever growing up (even though they will, and you’ll swear it happened overnight).

What I love about Jeremy is how naturally it supports these options. Some names don’t shorten well. Some nicknames feel forced. Jeremy has multiple, genuinely usable choices, and each one carries a different tone—meaning your child can grow into the version that fits.

One more personal note: as someone who’s announced names into microphones, I can tell you Jeremy has great “call” energy. It’s easy to say loudly, easy to say quickly, and it doesn’t get mushy in a noisy room. That matters more than people realize.

Is Jeremy Right for Your Baby?

Now we get to the decision point—the moment before the draft card gets turned in.

Here’s the honest scouting report, based strictly on the information you provided and what it implies.

The case for Jeremy

Jeremy is a strong choice if you want a name that is:

  • English in origin, with a long-standing presence
  • Popular across different eras, meaning it travels well through time
  • Backed by real historical figures with serious influence:
  • Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832) — founder of modern utilitarianism
  • Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667) — influential works on Christian practice
  • Supported by recognizable celebrity namesakes:
  • Jeremy Irons — Oscar-winning actor in film and television
  • Jeremy Clarkson — TV presenter from “Top Gear” and “The Grand Tour”
  • Flexible thanks to excellent nickname options:
  • Jerry, Jem, Jez, Remy, Jemmy

That’s a complete toolkit. It’s like drafting a player who can contribute immediately, has veteran mentors in the franchise history, and still has room to develop his own style.

The one “unknown” to embrace

The one thing Jeremy doesn’t hand you—at least from the dataset—is a clear stated meaning. If you’re the kind of parent who needs a defined meaning to feel confident, that might give you pause.

But if you’re the kind of parent who believes meaning is earned—built through character, choices, love, and the stories your child will create—then “unknown” becomes an open door, not a missing piece.

My broadcaster’s verdict

If you asked me in the hallway outside the studio—ten seconds before I’m back on air—whether Jeremy is a good pick, I’d tell you this:

Yes. Jeremy is a name with history, versatility, and staying power. It has intellectual weight without being heavy, familiarity without being boring, and nickname options that let your child steer the identity as he grows.

Choose Jeremy if you want a name that can be called from the stands, typed at the top of a resume, printed on a wedding invitation, and spoken softly at bedtime—without ever feeling out of place.

Because in the end, the best names don’t just sound good. They hold up. They carry. They endure.

And Jeremy? Jeremy feels like a name that can go the distance—four quarters, seven games, a full lifetime—while still sounding like home when you say it out loud.