Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jerome
BoyGreek, Latin· “sacred name”
- Meaning
- sacred name
- Origin
- Greek, Latin
- Pronunciation
- juh-ROHM
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,257
- US babies 2025
- 158
- Best rank
- #93 (1938)
- Peak year
- 1954
Meaning and origin of Jerome
Jerome is a Greek and Latin name that means “sacred name”.
Jerome comes from the Greek Hieronymos, made from hieros, sacred, and onoma, name, so it means sacred name. Saint Jerome, the fourth-century scholar who translated the Bible into Latin in the version known as the Vulgate, made the name famous, and he is honored as the patron saint of translators. Jerome was widely used in the United States in the early and mid-twentieth century, carried by figures such as composer Jerome Kern and writer J.D. Salinger, whose first name was Jerome. It feels classic and thoughtful, with Jerry and Rome as nicknames.
Popularity over time
Jerome has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 140 different years. Its best national rank was #93 in 1938, and the most babies received it in 1954, when 3,113 were named Jerome. In 2025, 158 babies were named Jerome, and it ranked #1,257 nationally. That is 41% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #126 in 1920, #103 in 1950, #178 in 1980, #494 in 2000, #742 in 2010, and #1,257 in 2025. Of the 161,234 US boys named Jerome since records began, 18% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 23,110 babies. Since 2010, 3,887 more have been named Jerome.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Dwight, Garry, Neil, Terrence, and Fredrick.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jerome ranked highest in South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Minnesota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | #698 | 6 |
| Oklahoma | #746 | 5 |
| Minnesota | #749 | 6 |
| Wisconsin | #835 | 5 |
| Missouri | #924 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Jerome is usually pronounced juh-ROHM, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with J and ends in “-me”.
Middle names for Jerome
A few middle names that flow with Jerome: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jerome
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Lists that include Jerome
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jerome mean?
Jerome is a Greek and Latin name that means “sacred name”.
What is the origin of the name Jerome?
Jerome has Greek and Latin roots. Jerome comes from the Greek Hieronymos, made from hieros, sacred, and onoma, name, so it means sacred name.
Is Jerome a popular name?
Not especially. Jerome ranked #1,257 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Jerome a boy or girl name?
Jerome is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Jerome?
Jerome is usually pronounced juh-ROHM. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings