MallowbyNames

Urijah

אוּרִיָּהyoo-RYE-jah · The Lord is my light, or God is my light; a variant of Urijah or Uria, ultimately from Hebrew.

2025 rank (boys)
#2,833
Babies named in 2025
44
Peak popularity
2010
2025 frequency
1 in 38,820 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 2010

Declining since 2010, #2,833 for boys today.

Popularity of Urijah since 2000

Babies named Urijah per year in U.S. Social Security records.

134269403200020102020Most births 2009Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
2000s695
2010s2,579
2020s419

Meaning & origin

Urijah is a modern English spelling of the ancient Hebrew name Uriah, meaning 'God is my light.' It first appeared on U.S. birth records in 2000, and its popularity grew rapidly, peaking at rank 2833 in 2010. Since then, its usage has been falling: in 2025, about 1 in 38,820 boys received the name, a decline from its peak. The name is most common in Texas and California, reflecting its appeal in diverse, religious communities. Urijah fits a broader trend of biblical names ending in '-iah' (such as Jeremiah and Josiah) that have seen renewed interest in recent decades. Its strong religious heritage and distinctive sound make it a meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with spiritual roots.

Urijah is a variant of the Hebrew name Uriah (אוּרִיָה), derived from 'uri' meaning 'my light' and 'yah' referring to God. In the Old Testament, Uriah was a Hittite warrior and the husband of Bathsheba. The spelling Urijah, with a 'j', reflects an English transliteration of the Hebrew yod. The name has been used in English-speaking countries, particularly among religious families, and gained modern attention through athletes like mixed martial artist Urijah Faber, born 1979, though the name's recorded use in the U.S. dates to 2000.

Where Urijah is most popular

Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Uri, Riah

Variants: Uriah, Uria, Urijiah

Sibling names for Urijah

Names that share Urijah's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

U is for Urijah, our favorite little boy.

U is for Urijah…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Urijah's letter becomes Urijah's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Urijah's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Urijah mean?
Urijah means 'The Lord is my light' or 'God is my light,' originating from the Hebrew elements 'uri' (my light) and 'yah' (God).
How popular is the name Urijah?
In 2025, Urijah ranked 2833rd in the U.S., with about 1 in 38,820 boys given the name. Its peak popularity was in 2010.
Is Urijah a boy or girl name?
Urijah is almost exclusively used as a boy's name, though it could theoretically be used for girls.