Jeremy

Etymology

The name originates from the Hebrew יִרְמְיָהוּ (Yirmeyahu), a theophoric name composed of the verb רוּם (rûm), meaning "to exalt" or "to be high," and יָהּ (Yah), a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. The name is variously translated as "Yahweh will exalt," "God will uplift," "Yahweh loosens," or "appointed by God."

The name entered English through the Late Latin form Jeremias and the Greek Ieremías (Ἱερεμίᾱς). The vernacular form Jeremy is attested in English from the 13th century.

Biblical and scriptural significance

The name is most prominently associated with Jeremiah, one of the major prophets of the Old Testament, who flourished c. 626–586 BCE. He is the author of the Book of Jeremiah and, traditionally, the Book of Lamentations. Known as the "Weeping Prophet" for his laments over the fall of Jerusalem, his prophecies emphasized repentance, judgment, and hope.

The name is recognized across the Abrahamic religions: Judaism regards Jeremiah as the second of the major prophets; Christianity sees him as a prophet quoted in the New Testament; and Islam recognizes him as a prophet (إرميا).

New Testament references

The name Jeremiah (Greek: Ιερεμιας, Hieremias) appears explicitly three times in the New Testament, all in the Gospel of Matthew, and is rendered "Jeremy" in the King James Version at two of these citations:

Matthew 2:17 – "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying…" (quoting Jeremiah 31:15)

Matthew 16:14 – "…others say Elijah; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets."

Matthew 27:9 – "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying…" (Zechariah 11:12–13, misattributed to Jeremiah)

The Book of Jeremiah is additionally quoted or alluded to approximately forty times throughout the New Testament, most significantly:

The most theologically significant quotation is Jeremiah 31:31–34, the "New Covenant" passage, which undergirds the Last Supper narratives and the argument of Hebrews.

Historical usage and popularity

The name was adopted by Puritans in the 17th century alongside the more formal Jeremiah. It experienced a revival in popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s. The name remains in use in English, Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish cultures.

Notable bearers of the name include philosopher and jurist Jeremy Bentham, actor Jeremy Irons, and author Jeremy Clarkson.

Other notable people with the name include:

In arts and entertainment

Jeremy Beadle (1948–2008), English television presenter, writer and producer

Jeremy Bowen, Welsh journalist

Jeremy Brett (1933–1995), English actor

Jeremy Brock, actor and director

Jeremy Bulloch, English actor

Jez Butterworth, English playwright, screenwriter, and film director

Jeremy Camp, Christian musician

Jeremy Cavaterra, American composer

Jeremy Clarkson, English broadcaster

Jaz (Jeremy) Coleman, English musician

Jeremy Crawshaw (born 2001), Australian-American football player

Jeremy Davis, bassist for American rock band Paramore

Jeremy Deller, English artist

Jeremy Edwards, English television actor

Jeremy "Jerma" Elbertson, American YouTuber and voice actor

Jeremy Fall, American editor in chief of Cliché Magazine

Jeremy Filsell, English pianist and composer

Jem Finer, English musician with The Pogues

In politics

Jeremy Browne, British Liberal Democrat MP (2005–2015)

Jeremy Corbyn, British Labour MP for Islington North (1983–) and Leader of the Labour Party (2015–2020)

Jeremy Dobson, American politician

Jeremy Hanley (1945–2026), British politician

Jeremy Hunt, British Conservative MP (2005–) and government minister

Jeremy Hutchinson (politician) (born 1974), U.S. politician

Jeremy Lefroy (born 1959), British Conservative MP (2010–2019)

Jeremy Purvis, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP (2003–2011), Member of House of Lords (2013–)

Jeremy Quin (born 1968), British Conservative MP (2015–)

Jeremy Thorpe (1929–2014), British MP for North Devon (1959–1979) and Leader of the Liberal Party (1967–1976)

Jeremy Wright (politician), British Conservative MP (2005–)

In sports

Jeremy Abbott, American figure skater

Jeremy Affeldt, American baseball player

Jeremy Ausmus, American professional poker player

Jeremy Banks (born 1999), American football player

Jeremy Bleich, American-Israeli baseball player

Jeremy Bloom, American Olympic downhill skier

Jeremy Bordeleau, Canadian canoeist

Jeremy Burgess, Honda and Yamaha MotoGP team chief engineer

Jeremy Cameron, Australian football player

Jeremy Chinn (born 1998), American football player

Jeremy Clark (defensive back), American football player

Jeremy Clarke (racing driver) (born 1986), American racing driver

Jeremy Clements (born 1985), American racing driver

Jeremy Combs (born 1995), basketball player for Israeli team Hapoel Ramat Gan Givatayim

Jeremy Cox (born 1996), American football player

Jeremy Guscott, English rugby player and commentator

Jeremy Hill, American football player

Jeremy Howe, Australian football player

In other fields

Jeremy Allaire, founder of Allaire Corporation

Jeremy Bamber, English multiple murderer

Jeremy Bentham, English legal reformer and philosopher

Jeremy Chambers (born 1974), Australian author

Jeremy Cowan (1923–2013), British historian

Jeremy Dear, English journalist and union leader

Jeremy J. Smith, British philologist

Jeremy Hutchinson, Baron Hutchinson of Lullington (1915–2017), British lawyer

Jeremy Leggett, English environmentalist

Jeremy Peat, Scottish economist and a Governor of the BBC

Jeremy Rosen, English rabbi

Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667), English author and clergyman

Jeremy Fernandez, Malaysian-Australian TV presenter

Fictional characters

Jeremy Hillary Boob, the "nowhere man" from The Beatles' film, Yellow Submarine

Jeremy the Bear, a Canadian children's TV character based on Les Aventures de Colargol

Jeremy Belpois, the Code Lyoko's computer genius