Uriah is a unique and distinctive name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew words "ur" meaning "light" and "yah" which means "God." Therefore, Uriah can be translated to mean "God is my light." This name has a rich history and cultural significance in the Bible.
In the Old Testament, Uriah was a Hittite warrior who was husband to Bathsheba, with whom King David had an adulterous relationship. Uriah was unwittingly used as part of David's scheme to cover up his sin. Despite this negative association, Uriah is considered by some to be one of the most virtuous characters in the Bible due to his loyalty and obedience.
Uriah has also been used as a given name in various cultures throughout history. In England during the Middle Ages, it was used as a given name for boys, while in American literature, it gained popularity through the character Uriah Heep in Charles Dickens' novel "David Copperfield." Today, Uriah is still an uncommon but striking choice for a boy's name, especially among parents looking for something distinctive and meaningful.
In summary, Uriah is a unique Hebrew name with a significant biblical history. Its meaning, "God is my light," gives it a powerful and profound significance. Despite its negative association in the Bible, Uriah remains a strong and distinctive name choice that carries a rich cultural heritage.
The name Uriah has a rich history of usage in the United States, with records dating back to the late 19th century. Between 1880 and 1882, there were an average of 7 births per year with the name Uriah. The number of births fluctuated throughout the early 20th century, ranging from a low of 5 in some years to a high of 19 in 1915.
Interesting trends emerge when examining the data decade by decade. In the 1920s and 1930s, the popularity of the name Uriah started to increase significantly, with an average of 14 births per year in the 1920s and a peak of 25 births in 1972. This trend continued into the 1970s, with over 60 births recorded each year between 1973 and 1979.
The name Uriah reached its peak popularity in recent years, with over 400 births recorded annually between 2008 and 2014. However, there has been a slight decrease in popularity since then, with around 378 to 464 births per year from 2015 to 2023.
In total, since record-keeping began in the United States, there have been over 11,000 births registered with the name Uriah. This demonstrates that while the popularity of the name has fluctuated over time, it remains a significant and enduring choice for parents throughout American history.