"God enlightens"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Jairus
Does Jairus flow with your last name?
A biblical name meaning God enlightens, from a father's miraculous story
Hebrew
Christian
English
American
Spiritual
Classic
Bold
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Jairus
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Jairus
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"he will enlighten"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Jairus
See all →What the Jairus report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Jairus 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 Jairus
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Jairus head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Jairus 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
The Story of Jairus
Jairus is the Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew name Yair (יָאִיר), meaning God enlightens or he will enlighten. The root ya'ir comes from the Hebrew or meaning light, with the divine prefix Yah (a form of God's name). The name appears in the Old Testament as a judge of Israel and in the New Testament as the synagogue ruler whose daughter Jesus raised from the dead — one of the most dramatic miracles in the Gospels.
Jairus has remained a niche but consistent choice among Christian families, particularly those with strong biblical naming traditions. Its New Testament miracle story — Jairus' daughter raised from death — makes it spiritually meaningful. African-American Christian families have used this name with particular affection.
In the New Testament (Mark 5, Luke 8), Jairus was a synagogue official who knelt before Jesus and pleaded for his daughter's life. This act of desperate faith and the subsequent miracle make his name a symbol of hope and divine intervention in Christian tradition.
Historical Record
Jairus first appeared in US Social Security records in 1960.
Over 2,686 babies have been named Jairus in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jairus is past its peak , currently ranked #3,610 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jairus is one of the few New Testament figures identified by name whose daughter was healed by Jesus
- The Spanish/Portuguese form Jairo is far more common in Latin America than the English Jairus
Jairus in Other Languages
Greek
Ἰάειρος
Latin
Jairus
Hebrew
יָאִיר
Spanish
Jairo
Portuguese
Jairo
Popularity Over Time
#3,610
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1994
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Jairus
J
Jairus (biblical)
Religious
Synagogue ruler in the New Testament who asked Jesus to heal his daughter, Mark 5:22-43
J
Jair (biblical judge)
Religious
Judge of Israel who led the people for 22 years, mentioned in Judges 10:3-5
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,610
- Total SSA Count
- 31
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Christian English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jai
Jay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew 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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jairus
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Jairus fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Jairus →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 Jairus with...
Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
See all Hebrew names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Jairus
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Jairus and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Jairus 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 →
Ithan
Boy
Hebrew origin
"long-lived, permanent"
#3,663 in US
Jaice
Boy
Greek origin
"healer"
#3,667 in US
Zaelyn
Boy
Hebrew/Arabic origin
"God is gracious (via Zane/Zaid roots)"
#3,652 in US
Geovanny
Boy
Italian origin
"gift of God's grace"
#3,725 in US
Montrell
Boy
American coined origin
"strong and steadfast"
#3,507 in US
Echo
Boy
Ancient Greek origin
"sound, reverberation"
#3,583 in US
Jonny
Boy
Biblical Hebrew origin
"Yahweh has shown favor"
#3,794 in US
Yetzael
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God protects, God watches over"
#3,461 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Jairus's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jairus
What does the name Jairus mean?
"God enlightens" (from Hebrew). "he will enlighten" (from Hebrew). Jairus is the Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew name Yair (יָאִיר), meaning God enlightens or he will enlighten. The root ya'ir comes from the Hebrew or meaning light, with the divine prefix Yah (a form of God's name). The name appears in the Old Testament as a judge of Israel and in the New Testament as the synagogue ruler whose daughter Jesus raised from the dead — one of the most dramatic miracles in the Gospels.
What is the origin of the name Jairus?
Jairus has Hebrew, Christian, English, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "God enlightens". In Hebrew, it means "he will enlighten".
Is Jairus a boy or girl name?
Jairus is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Jairus?
Jairus is currently ranked #3610 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jairus?
Common nicknames for Jairus include Jai and Jay.
What are good middle names for Jairus?
Popular middle name pairings include Jairus Emmanuel, Jairus Michael, Jairus Samuel, Jairus David, Jairus Elijah, Jairus Solomon, and Jairus Benjamin.
What are good sibling names for Jairus?
Names that pair well with Jairus as siblings include Lazarus, Elijah, Caleb, Miriam, Naomi, Deborah, and Abigail.
How many syllables does Jairus have?
Jairus has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jairus a common or rare name?
Jairus is an uncommon name, ranked #3610 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Jairus?
About the Name Jairus
Jairus is a boy name with Hebrew, Christian, English, and American origins . The name means "God enlightens" in Hebrew .
Jairus is currently ranked #3,610 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jairus has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Jairus include Jai and Jay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Jairus include Jairo, Jair, Jaire . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
J
Names Starting with J
More boy names like Jairus
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