"fragrant; place of fragrance"
Origin: Hebrew (Yeriḥo)
Language: Hebrew
Jericho
Pronunciation: [ j-EHR-ihk-oh ]
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Ancient walls, enduring strength, utterly unforgettable
English
American
Filipino
Christian communities globally
Bold
Spiritual
Vintage
Strong
Unique
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Jericho
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"moon; city of the moon"
Origin: Canaanite (yaraḥ)
Language: Canaanite
"fragrant; sweet-scented"
Origin: Arabic (Arīḥā)
Language: Arabic
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Things to Know About This Name
- The city of Jericho sits in the politically sensitive West Bank, which some parents may consider.
The Story of Jericho
Jericho is, quite literally, one of the oldest names on earth — because it is the name of one of the oldest cities on earth. The settlement now called Jericho dates back more than 10,000 years, predating written language, predating Egypt’s pyramids, predating almost everything. Its ancient name came from the Canaanite language: some scholars link it to yaraḥ, meaning moon, reflecting its role as a center of lunar deity worship; others connect it to rēḥ, meaning fragrant, perhaps for the flowers and balsam that grew in the lush Jordan Valley oasis. The name entered the Hebrew Bible as Yeriḥo and became famous worldwide through the story of Joshua and the walls that fell at the sound of trumpets — a story of faith, perseverance, and the power of sound over stone. In the 21st century, parents drawn to ancient, resonant place names began turning to Jericho, first for boys, and increasingly for girls who embody that same sense of deep-rooted strength.
Jericho cracked the US top 1,000 for boys in 2013 and has climbed steadily. For girls it remains rare — only about 18 female babies were named Jericho in the most recent recorded year — but that rarity is part of its growing appeal among parents seeking genuinely distinctive names with authentic historical weight.
Jericho is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with archaeological evidence of settlement dating to approximately 9000 BCE. In Christian, Jewish, and Islamic traditions, Jericho appears in scripture, giving the name a rare triple-faith resonance.
Historical Record
Jericho first appeared in US Social Security records in 1980.
Over 359 babies have been named Jericho in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jericho is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #6,683 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jericho is home to one of the oldest known fortification towers in human history — a stone tower built around 8000 BCE, predating Stonehenge by more than 5,000 years.
- The city’s Arabic name, Arīḥā, means fragrant — confirming the name’s meaning in two entirely separate linguistic lineages simultaneously.
- The name Jericho appears in all three Abrahamic faiths — the Torah, the Christian Bible, and Islamic tradition — giving it a cross-religious cultural presence matched by very few names.
Jericho in Other Languages
Arabic
أريحا
Korean
여리고
Chinese
耶利哥
Spanish
Jericó
Japanese
エリコ
Popularity Over Time
#6,683
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Jericho with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #6,683
- Total SSA Count
- 18
- Cultural Origins
- English American Filipino Christian communities globally
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Jeri
Rico
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jericho
8 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Jericho is also used as a boy name, ranked #905.
View Jericho as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jericho
What does the name Jericho mean?
"fragrant; place of fragrance" (from Hebrew (Yeriḥo)). "moon; city of the moon" (from Canaanite (yaraḥ)). "fragrant; sweet-scented" (from Arabic (Arīḥā)). Jericho is, quite literally, one of the oldest names on earth — because it is the name of one of the oldest cities on earth. The settlement now called Jericho dates back more than 10,000 years, predating written language, predating Egypt’s pyramids, predating almost everything. Its ancient name came from the Canaanite language: some scholars link it to yaraḥ, meaning moon, reflecting its role as a center of lunar deity worship; others connect it to rēḥ, meaning fragrant, perhaps for the flowers and balsam that grew in the lush Jordan Valley oasis. The name entered the Hebrew Bible as Yeriḥo and became famous worldwide through the story of Joshua and the walls that fell at the sound of trumpets — a story of faith, perseverance, and the power of sound over stone. In the 21st century, parents drawn to ancient, resonant place names began turning to Jericho, first for boys, and increasingly for girls who embody that same sense of deep-rooted strength.
What is the origin of the name Jericho?
Jericho has Hebrew (Yeriḥo), Canaanite (yaraḥ), Arabic (Arīḥā), English, American, Filipino, and Christian communities globally origins. In Hebrew (Yeriḥo), it means "fragrant; place of fragrance". In Canaanite (yaraḥ), it means "moon; city of the moon". In Arabic (Arīḥā), it means "fragrant; sweet-scented".
Is Jericho a boy or girl name?
Jericho is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #6683. As a boy name, it is ranked #905. Jericho is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jericho?
Jericho is pronounced j-EHR-ihk-oh.
How popular is the name Jericho?
Jericho is currently ranked #6683 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jericho?
Common nicknames for Jericho include Jeri and Rico.
What are good middle names for Jericho?
Popular middle name pairings include Jericho Rose, Jericho Mae, Jericho Elise, Jericho Sage, Jericho Noelle, Jericho Claire, Jericho Wren, and Jericho Faye.
What are good sibling names for Jericho?
Names that pair well with Jericho as siblings include Zara, Petra, Soleil, Ophelia, Lyra, Asher, Ezra, and Silas.
How many syllables does Jericho have?
Jericho has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Jericho a common or rare name?
Jericho is an uncommon name, ranked #6683 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Jericho
Jericho is a girl name with English, American, Filipino, and Christian communities globally origins . The name means "fragrant; place of fragrance" in Hebrew (Yeriḥo) .
Is Jericho a boy or girl name? Jericho is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #6,683 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #905. Jericho is more commonly used as a boy name.
Jericho is currently ranked #6,683 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Jericho has 3 syllables and is pronounced j-EHR-ihk-oh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Jericho include Jeri and Rico. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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