Declining since 1985, #1,256 for boys today.
Popularity of Jerome since 1880
Babies named Jerome per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1954, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Jerome's real moment was 1938.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 426 |
| 1890s | 551 |
| 1900s | 972 |
| 1910s | 7,405 |
| 1920s | 15,453 |
| 1930s | 18,965 |
| 1940s | 23,110 |
| 1950s | 29,705 |
| 1960s | 22,295 |
| 1970s | 14,783 |
| 1980s | 12,187 |
| 1990s | 7,231 |
| 2000s | 4,264 |
| 2010s | 2,817 |
| 2020s | 1,070 |
Meaning & origin
Jerome has a long history in Christian tradition, rooted in Saint Jerome, the scholar who produced the Latin Vulgate Bible. In the United States, the name saw its highest usage in 1938, when it ranked among the top 100 names. Since 1985, its popularity has steadily declined. Today, Jerome is a rare choice, given to about 1 in 10,811 boys in 2025. Geographically, it has been most common in Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Minnesota, reflecting a pattern of regional preference. The name carries a dignified, scholarly image, and its classic nature may appeal to parents seeking a name with historical depth.
Derived from the Greek name Hieronymos, meaning 'sacred name.' The name was borne by Saint Jerome, the 4th-century biblical scholar who translated the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate). It was introduced to English-speaking countries in the Middle Ages, but became especially popular in the United States during the early 20th century.
Where Jerome is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Jerome” around the world
Where Jerome lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Quebec
7
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jerry, Rome
Sibling names for Jerome
Names that share Jerome's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Genevieve, Catherine, Therese, Monica, Helen, Jerilyn, Jerrilyn, Jeralyn, Jerilynn, Jonelle, Latonia, Tesha, Deandria, Jannine, Jerelyn, Jerene, Jerlene, Jerline, Jerolyn, Latecia, Tashika, Terrika, Toccara, Towanna, Charnise, Jeraline, Jereline, Jerlyn, Meshelle, Shakeia, Shericka, Jeronica, Roniesha, Gerardine, Jalonda, Jamonica, Janiene, Jaquanda, Jerilee, Jerlisa, Jeroline, Lakethia, Lataysha, Martrice, Ronnica, Shakerria, Shenetta, Takeira, Tynetta
Brothers: Julian, Lawrence, Vincent, Francis, Peter, Aloysius, Ambrose, Antwan, Darrell, Tyree, Donta, Jamaine, Jermel, Marquell, Sedrick, Agustine, Jemel, Markese, Tarrell, Antwoine, Carnel, Deundre, Dierre, Jamarco, Jamicheal, Jerelle, Jermarion, Jermond, Jermone, Larone, Antwion, Jermarcus, Ladale, Roshard, Sadarius, Terrius
Names like Jerome
Names whose popularity has moved with Jerome's over the last 50 years.
