Holding steady, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Jerusha since 1882
Babies named Jerusha per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1975, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Jerusha's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 12 |
| 1900s | 6 |
| 1910s | 46 |
| 1920s | 52 |
| 1930s | 31 |
| 1940s | 24 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 47 |
| 1970s | 297 |
| 1980s | 267 |
| 1990s | 144 |
| 2000s | 115 |
| 2010s | 96 |
| 2020s | 50 |
Meaning & origin
Jerusha is a rare biblical name that has never broken into mainstream popularity, yet it has maintained a quiet, consistent use since 1882, its first recorded year. In 2025, it ranked 10,917 with approximately 1 in 200,908 female births. The name peaked in 1882 and has remained stable in its trajectory, appealing primarily to families seeking a distinctive Old Testament name with Puritan heritage. Its Hebrew etymology connects it to the concept of inheritance, while its biblical association as the wife of King Uzziah gives it a regal if obscure pedigree. Jerusha has never been dominant in any U.S. state, which underscores its rarity and niche appeal among those who value traditional, underused scriptural names.
Jerusha is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin, appearing in the Old Testament as the wife of King Uzziah and mother of King Jotham of Judah (2 Kings 15:33). The name is derived from the Hebrew verb yarash, meaning 'to inherit' or 'to possess,' leading to interpretations such as 'she will inherit' or 'possessed of a husband.' It was adopted by English Puritans in the 17th century and has seen sporadic use ever since, particularly in religious communities. The name remains rare but has maintained a consistent presence in U.S. birth records since the 1880s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jerry, Rusha
Sibling names for Jerusha
Names that share Jerusha's style, for a brother or sister.
