Zamariah is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "Yahweh has heard" or "God hears". The name is derived from the Hebrew elements "Zamar", which means "to hear or to hearken", and "Yah", a shortened form of Yahweh, the name of God in the Old Testament. Zamariah is therefore a variation of the name Samuel, which has a similar meaning.
The name Zamariah is believed to have been brought into popular use by the Puritans in the 17th century. However, it is not considered a traditional Hebrew name and was not used extensively among Jews during biblical times. Instead, it gained popularity as a Christian name, likely due to its biblical association with Samuel.
In the Bible, Zamariah, or Samuel, appears as one of the judges of Israel. He was born to Hannah, who had longed for a child but remained childless until she prayed to God for help. In response to her prayer, she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel, meaning "God hears". The boy grew up to become a prophet and judge of Israel, serving as a leader of the people during a time of great turmoil.
Today, Zamariah is still used as a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries. While it may not be as popular as some other names with similar meanings, such as Samuel or Zachary, Zamariah remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents looking for a name with biblical significance.
In conclusion, Zamariah is a name of Hebrew origin that means "God hears". Its roots can be traced back to the Bible, where it appears as the name of one of Israel's judges. Despite not being a traditional Hebrew name, Zamariah has gained popularity among Christians due to its biblical association and continues to be used today as a unique and meaningful given name.
The name Zamariah has seen varying levels of popularity over the past two decades in the United States. In the year 2000, there were 5 babies named Zamariah, marking the beginning of its appearance in the birth records.
Over the next few years, the number of births with this name fluctuated slightly: 8 in 2003, 10 in 2004, and then a notable increase to 13 in 2005. This upward trend continued with 14 births in 2006, reaching a peak of 25 babies named Zamariah in 2008.
However, after this peak, the number of births with this name started to decrease steadily: 20 in 2009, 16 in 2010, and 23 in 2011. This downward trend continued, with only 19 babies named Zamariah in 2012, and a significant drop to 9 births in 2013.
The years between 2014 and 2023 show a more stable pattern, with the number of births ranging from 7 to 13 each year. Despite some variation, Zamariah remains a recognizable name choice for parents across the United States.
In total, over these two decades (2000-2023), there have been 289 babies named Zamariah in the United States. This data reflects the ongoing presence of this name in American culture, demonstrating its enduring appeal among parents despite fluctuations in popularity.