Jerome

Pronunciation: [ j-er-OHM ]

Boy Name #1,341 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The saint who translated the Bible — a scholarly classic

English French Dutch German Catholic

Classic Strong Traditional Vintage Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"holy name, sacred name"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

"one with a sacred name"

Origin: Latin via Greek

Language: English

The Story of Jerome

Jerome is the English form of the Latin Hieronymus, which comes from the Greek Hieronymos (Ἱερώνυμος) — a compound of 'hieros' (holy, sacred) and 'onyma' (name), meaning 'holy name' or 'sacred name.' The name was made famous by Saint Jerome (347-420 CE), one of the most important figures in early Christianity. He translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into Latin, creating the Vulgate — the standard Catholic Bible for over a millennium.

Jerome was a solidly popular English name from the medieval period through the early 20th century. In the US, it peaked in the 1950s-1960s, particularly within African American communities where it remained widely used through the 1980s. The name has declined significantly since, giving it a vintage quality that some parents find appealing as retro names cycle back into fashion.

Saint Jerome is the patron saint of translators, librarians, and encyclopedists — making the name especially meaningful in intellectual and academic contexts. The name has strong associations with African American culture in the US, appearing frequently in jazz, R&B, and hip-hop communities.

Fun Facts

Saint Jerome is depicted in hundreds of Renaissance paintings, often with a lion (from the legend that he tamed a lion by removing a thorn from its paw)
The name Hieronymus Bosch (the Dutch painter) is the Latin form of Jerome
Jerome is the patron saint of translators, making it a fitting name for polyglots and language lovers

Jerome in Other Languages

Dutch Jeroen

French Jérôme

German Hieronymus

Italian Gerolamo

Spanish Jerónimo

Famous People Named Jerome

Jerome Flynn

Actor

1963

British actor known for playing Bronn in Game of Thrones

Jerome Powell

Business

1953

American attorney and banker serving as Chair of the Federal Reserve since 2018

Jerome Kern

Musician

1885

American composer who was foundational to the development of Broadway musical theatre

Saint Jerome

Religious

347

Early Church Father and Doctor of the Church who translated the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate); patron saint of translat...

Early Church Father and Doctor of the Church who translated the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate); patron saint of translators

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,341
Total SSA Count: 143
Cultural Origins: English French Dutch German Catholic
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Jeronimo #2172

Common Nicknames

Jerry Rome Jay

Pairs Well With

Jerome Alexander Jerome Michael Jerome David Jerome Anthony Jerome James Jerome Thomas Jerome Patrick

Sibling Names

Gregory Bernard Cecilia Francis Lawrence Dorothy Vincent Agnes

Also a Girl Name

Jerome is also used as a girl name, ranked #70056.

View Jerome as a girl name →

Similar Names

Jeronimo Jeremy Jersey Jermaine Jream

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Jerome and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Jerome sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more boy names →

Explore 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

Frequently Asked Questions About Jerome

What does the name Jerome mean?

"holy name, sacred name" (from Greek). "one with a sacred name" (from Latin via Greek). Jerome is the English form of the Latin Hieronymus, which comes from the Greek Hieronymos (Ἱερώνυμος) — a compound of 'hieros' (holy, sacred) and 'onyma' (name), meaning 'holy name' or 'sacred name.' The name was made famous by Saint Jerome (347-420 CE), one of the most important figures in early Christianity. He translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into Latin, creating the Vulgate — the standard Catholic Bible for over a millennium.

What is the origin of the name Jerome?

Jerome has Greek, Latin via Greek, English, French, Dutch, German, and Catholic origins. In Greek, it means "holy name, sacred name". In Latin via Greek, it means "one with a sacred name".

Is Jerome a boy or girl name?

Jerome is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1341. As a girl name, it is ranked #70056. Jerome is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Jerome?

Jerome is pronounced j-er-OHM.

How popular is the name Jerome?

Jerome is currently ranked #1341 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Jerome?

Common nicknames for Jerome include Jerry, Rome, and Jay.

What are good middle names for Jerome?

Popular middle name pairings include Jerome Alexander, Jerome Michael, Jerome David, Jerome Anthony, Jerome James, Jerome Thomas, and Jerome Patrick.

What are good sibling names for Jerome?

Names that pair well with Jerome as siblings include Gregory, Bernard, Cecilia, Francis, Lawrence, Dorothy, Vincent, and Agnes.

How many syllables does Jerome have?

Jerome has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Jerome a common or rare name?

Jerome is an uncommon name, ranked #1341 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Jerome

Jerome is a boy name with English, French, Dutch, German, and Catholic origins . The name means "holy name, sacred name" in Greek .

Is Jerome a boy or girl name? Jerome is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,341 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,056. Jerome is more commonly used as a boy name.

Jerome is currently ranked #1,341 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Jerome has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-er-OHM, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Jerome include Jerry, Rome, and Jay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Jerome include Jeronimo . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.