Declining since 2020, #1,145 for boys today.
Popularity of Ermias since 1999
Babies named Ermias per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 33 |
| 2010s | 576 |
| 2020s | 1,631 |
Meaning & origin
First recorded in the United States in 1999, Ermias is a relatively recent arrival on the American naming scene. It ranks 1,145th as of 2025, with a peak rank of 2019, though usage has been declining since 2020. The name is most common in Nevada, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, reflecting communities with Ethiopian and Eritrean heritage. Its etymology ties to the ancient Ge'ez language, linking it to the biblical Jeremiah. While a precise meaning remains uncertain, its cultural resonance is strong among families from the Horn of Africa. Ermias is still a rare name in the U.S., with roughly 1 in 9,283 boys receiving it each year.
Ermias is an Ethiopian and Eritrean name, likely derived from the Ge'ez phrase 'Ermiyas' (ኤርምያስ). It is the Ethiopic form of the biblical name Jeremiah, but its exact meaning is debated. Some sources connect it to the Hebrew Yirmiyahu, meaning 'Yahweh will exalt,' while others propose an independent Ge'ez origin. The name has been used in the Horn of Africa for centuries among Christian and Muslim families alike.
Where Ermias is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ermi, Mias
Sibling names for Ermias
Names that share Ermias's style, for a brother or sister.
