"invented blend of Jared and Gareth"
Origin: Modern English
Language: English
Jareth
Does Jareth flow with your last name?
A name conjured from fantasy and rock stardom
English
American
Bold
Unique
Whimsical
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Jareth
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Jareth
3 shorthand options for every setting
Fantasy Names
Jareth as a Fantasy Character
Human lore, pronunciation, D&D class tips
Meaning & Origin
"descent, gentle"
Origin: Hebrew/Welsh
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Jareth
See all →What the Jareth report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Jareth the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Jareth
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Jareth head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Jareth actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Jareth the Goblin King from the 1986 Jim Henson film Labyrinth — may invite fan references
The Story of Jareth
Jareth is a modern invented name with no established ancient etymology. It appears to be a creative blend of Jared (Hebrew: descent, or sometimes connected to 'rose') and Gareth (Welsh: gentle, from Arthurian legend). The combination creates a name with the strength of Jared and the mystical quality of Gareth. The name leapt into popular consciousness when David Bowie played the Goblin King Jareth in Jim Henson's 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth, creating an indelible cultural imprint.
Jareth began appearing on US birth records in the late 1980s and 1990s, almost certainly inspired by David Bowie's Goblin King in Labyrinth. It has maintained a small but devoted following ever since, particularly in families who love fantasy, music, or the work of Jim Henson. It's one of the rare pop-culture invented names that feels genuinely usable.
For a generation of children who grew up watching Labyrinth, Jareth the Goblin King — portrayed by the legendary David Bowie — is one of cinema's great magnetic villains. The name carries the film's themes of imagination, coming-of-age, and the seductive power of fantasy. It's a name that promises a child will be interesting.
Historical Record
Jareth first appeared in US Social Security records in 1986.
Over 1,992 babies have been named Jareth in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jareth is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,811 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jareth the Goblin King was portrayed by David Bowie in Jim Henson's 1986 film Labyrinth, one of Bowie's most beloved acting roles
- Labyrinth has developed one of cinema's most devoted cult followings, with annual screenings worldwide
- The name Gareth, which shares Jareth's ending, is Welsh and appears in Arthurian legend as one of King Arthur's knights
Jareth in Other Languages
French
Jareth
English
Jareth
Spanish
Jareth
Popularity Over Time
#1,811
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Jareth
J
Jareth the Goblin King Fictional
Other
The seductive villain of Jim Henson's 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth, played by David Bowie in an iconic performance
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,811
- Total SSA Count
- 90
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jay
Jar
Reth
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jareth
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Jareth fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Jareth is also used as a girl name, ranked #50838.
View Jareth as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Jareth →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Jareth with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Jareth
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Jareth and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Jareth sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Cosmo
Boy
Ancient Greek origin
"beauty, ornament"
#1,691 in US
Ervin
Boy
Old English origin
"boar-friend, warrior companion"
#1,939 in US
Raylen
Boy
American English origin
"modern blend name, ray of light"
#1,808 in US
Levon
Boy
Armenian, from Greek leon origin
"lion"
#1,782 in US
Dezmond
Boy
Irish Gaelic origin
"man from South Munster (south Munster..."
#1,839 in US
Savion
Boy
French/Latin origin
"savior, one who saves"
#1,795 in US
Roen
Boy
Old Norse/Gaelic origin
"red-haired, little redhead"
#1,730 in US
Kairos
Boy
Ancient Greek origin
"the opportune or right moment"
#1,632 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Jareth's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jareth
What does the name Jareth mean?
"invented blend of Jared and Gareth" (from Modern English). "descent, gentle" (from Hebrew/Welsh). Jareth is a modern invented name with no established ancient etymology. It appears to be a creative blend of Jared (Hebrew: descent, or sometimes connected to 'rose') and Gareth (Welsh: gentle, from Arthurian legend). The combination creates a name with the strength of Jared and the mystical quality of Gareth. The name leapt into popular consciousness when David Bowie played the Goblin King Jareth in Jim Henson's 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth, creating an indelible cultural imprint.
What is the origin of the name Jareth?
Jareth has Modern English, Hebrew/Welsh, English, and American origins. In Modern English, it means "invented blend of Jared and Gareth". In Hebrew/Welsh, it means "descent, gentle".
Is Jareth a boy or girl name?
Jareth is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1811. As a girl name, it is ranked #50838. Jareth is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Jareth?
Jareth is currently ranked #1811 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jareth?
Common nicknames for Jareth include Jay, Jar, and Reth.
What are good middle names for Jareth?
Popular middle name pairings include Jareth Stone, Jareth Quinn, Jareth Blake, Jareth Cole, Jareth Reed, Jareth Orion, and Jareth Wolf.
What are good sibling names for Jareth?
Names that pair well with Jareth as siblings include Soren, Calix, Lyra, Evander, Petra, Zephyr, and Toby.
How many syllables does Jareth have?
Jareth has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jareth a common or rare name?
Jareth is an uncommon name, ranked #1811 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Jareth?
About the Name Jareth
Jareth is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "invented blend of Jared and Gareth" in Modern English .
Is Jareth a boy or girl name? Jareth is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,811 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #50,838. Jareth is more commonly used as a boy name.
Jareth is currently ranked #1,811 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jareth has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Jareth include Jay, Jar, and Reth. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Jareth include Jared, Jaren, Jarell, Jaret, Jarek . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Modern English Names
Browse all names with this origin
J
Names Starting with J
More boy names like Jareth
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis