"he who descends, descent"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Jared
Pronunciation: [ j-EHR-ihd ]
Boy Name
#394 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
A Hebrew patriarch name with centuries of history
American
English
Mormon/LDS
Christian
Classic
Strong
Vintage
Modern
Bold
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Jared Fogle (Subway spokesperson convicted in 2015 on criminal charges), creating a reputational challenge for the name
The Story of Jared
Jared comes from the Hebrew 'Yered' meaning 'he descended' or 'descent.' In the Book of Genesis, Jared was one of the antediluvian patriarchs—son of Mahalalel and father of Enoch—who lived 962 years, making him the second-longest-lived person in the Bible after Methuselah. The name was revived by Puritans in 17th-century America who favored Old Testament names, and it gained mainstream American popularity in the late 20th century.
Jared was most popular in the US from the 1970s through the 1990s, peaking around 1991. It declined steadily through the 2000s and suffered additional reputational damage following the 2015 conviction of Subway spokesperson Jared Fogle. It remains a recognizable name from its era but sees significantly fewer new babies given this name today.
In the Book of Mormon, Jared is significant as the leader of the Jaredites—a people described as migrating to the Americas after the Tower of Babel. This makes Jared a common and revered name in Latter-day Saint communities. The biblical Jared's extraordinary longevity (962 years) made him a figure of enduring fascination in religious literature.
Fun Facts
- The biblical Jared lived 962 years according to Genesis—the second-longest lifespan recorded in the Bible
- Jared Leto is the first person born in the 1970s to win an Academy Award for acting (Best Supporting Actor, 2014)
Jared in Other Languages
Arabic
جاريد
French
Jared
Hebrew
ירד
Spanish
Jared
Portuguese
Jared
Famous People Named Jared
J
Jared Leto
Actor
1971
Academy Award-winning American actor (Dallas Buyers Club, 2014) and lead vocalist of Thirty Seconds to Mars
J
Jared (Biblical)
Religious
Antediluvian patriarch in Genesis, father of Enoch and ancestor of Noah; according to scripture he lived 962 years
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #394
- Total SSA Count
- 828
- Cultural Origins
- American English Mormon/LDS Christian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jay
Pairs Well With
Jared Michael
Jared Thomas
Jared David
Jared Lee
Jared Scott
Jared Allen
Jared Wayne
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Jared is also used as a girl name, ranked #19252.
View Jared as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jared
What does the name Jared mean?
"he who descends, descent" (from Hebrew). Jared comes from the Hebrew 'Yered' meaning 'he descended' or 'descent.' In the Book of Genesis, Jared was one of the antediluvian patriarchs—son of Mahalalel and father of Enoch—who lived 962 years, making him the second-longest-lived person in the Bible after Methuselah. The name was revived by Puritans in 17th-century America who favored Old Testament names, and it gained mainstream American popularity in the late 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Jared?
Jared has Hebrew, American, English, Mormon/LDS, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "he who descends, descent".
Is Jared a boy or girl name?
Jared is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #394. As a girl name, it is ranked #19252. Jared is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jared?
Jared is pronounced j-EHR-ihd.
How popular is the name Jared?
Jared is currently ranked #394 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jared?
Common nicknames for Jared include Jay.
What are good middle names for Jared?
Popular middle name pairings include Jared Michael, Jared Thomas, Jared David, Jared Lee, Jared Scott, Jared Allen, and Jared Wayne.
What are good sibling names for Jared?
Names that pair well with Jared as siblings include Nathan, Tyler, Derek, Jessica, Megan, Ashley, and Brett.
How many syllables does Jared have?
Jared has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jared a common or rare name?
Jared is a popular name, ranked #394 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Jared
Jared is a boy name with American, English, Mormon/LDS, and Christian origins . The name means "he who descends, descent" in Hebrew .
Is Jared a boy or girl name? Jared is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #394 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #19,252. Jared is more commonly used as a boy name.
Jared is currently ranked #394 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jared has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-EHR-ihd, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Jared include Jay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Jared include Jareth, Jaren, Jarell, Jaret, Jarek . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.