| Pronunciation | /ˈdʒɛrɛmi/ |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Language | English |
| Other names | |
| Variant forms | Jer; Jem; Jaz |
| Nicknames | Jez, Jezza |
| Related names | Jeremiah, Jérémie, Jérémy, Jeremey |
Jeremy (/ˌdʒɛrɛmi/) is an English-language male given name, deriving from various translations and interpretations as anglicized and diminutive form of the given name Jeremiah.
The name originates from the Hebrew יִרְמְיָהוּ (Yirmeyahu), a theophoric name composed of the verb רוּם (rûm), meaning "to exalt" or "to be high," and יָהּ (Yah), a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. The name is variously translated as "Yahweh will exalt," "God will uplift," "Yahweh loosens," or "appointed by God."
The name entered English through the Late Latin form Jeremias and the Greek Ieremías (Ἱερεμίᾱς). The vernacular form Jeremy is attested in English from the 13th century.
The name is most prominently associated with Jeremiah, one of the major prophets of the Old Testament, who flourished c. 626–586 BCE. He is the author of the Book of Jeremiah and, traditionally, the Book of Lamentations. Known as the "Weeping Prophet" for his laments over the fall of Jerusalem, his prophecies emphasized repentance, judgment, and hope.
The name is recognized across the Abrahamic religions: Judaism regards Jeremiah as the second of the major prophets; Christianity sees him as a prophet quoted in the New Testament; and Islam recognizes him as a prophet (إرميا).
The name Jeremiah (Greek: Ιερεμιας, Hieremias) appears explicitly three times in the New Testament, all in the Gospel of Matthew, and is rendered "Jeremy" in the King James Version at two of these citations:
The Book of Jeremiah is additionally quoted or alluded to approximately forty times throughout the New Testament, most significantly:
| Old Testament source | New Testament reference | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 7:11 | Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46 | "Den of robbers" (temple cleansing) |
| Jeremiah 9:24 | 1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17 | "Boast in the Lord" |
| Jeremiah 31:15 | Matthew 2:18 | Rachel's lament |
| Jeremiah 31:31–34 | Hebrews 8:8–12; Hebrews 10:16–17 | The New Covenant |
| Jeremiah 12:15 | Acts 15:16 | Restoration of Israel |
| Jeremiah 17:10 | Revelation 2:23 | God searching the heart |
| Jeremiah 10:7 | Revelation 15:3–4 | Fear of the King of nations |
The most theologically significant quotation is Jeremiah 31:31–34, the "New Covenant" passage, which undergirds the Last Supper narratives and the argument of Hebrews.
The name was adopted by Puritans in the 17th century alongside the more formal Jeremiah. It experienced a revival in popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s. The name remains in use in English, Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish cultures.
Notable bearers of the name include philosopher and jurist Jeremy Bentham, actor Jeremy Irons, and author Jeremy Clarkson.
Other notable people with the name include:
