Rising since 1989, #429 for boys today.
Popularity of Nehemiah since 1886
Babies named Nehemiah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 7 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 95 |
| 1920s | 182 |
| 1930s | 128 |
| 1940s | 103 |
| 1950s | 146 |
| 1960s | 132 |
| 1970s | 235 |
| 1980s | 705 |
| 1990s | 1,137 |
| 2000s | 5,516 |
| 2010s | 8,926 |
| 2020s | 4,492 |
Meaning & origin
Nehemiah is a biblical name that has seen steady growth in popularity in the United States. First recorded in 1886, it ranked 429 in 2025, with approximately 1 in 2,299 boys receiving the name. Its peak year was 2013, and it has been rising in use since 1989. The name is particularly favored in Delaware, West Virginia, and Georgia. Nehemiah's strong biblical association with leadership and restoration gives it a classic yet distinctive feel. The trajectory suggests continued appeal among parents seeking traditional names with spiritual significance.
Nehemiah derives from the Hebrew name נְחֶמְיָה (Nechemyah), meaning 'Yahweh has comforted.' It is composed of the elements 'nacham' (to comfort) and 'Yah' (a shortened form of Yahweh). In the Hebrew Bible, Nehemiah was a Jewish leader who oversaw the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls in the 5th century BCE. The name has been used among English speakers since the Protestant Reformation, and it experienced a revival in the United States beginning in the late 20th century, especially among African American families.
Where Nehemiah 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nehe, Neem, Miah
Variants: Nechemya
Sibling names for Nehemiah
Names that share Nehemiah's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Nehemiah
Names whose popularity has moved with Nehemiah's over the last 50 years.
