Nehemiah
How to say it: nee-uh-MY-uh · /ˌniəˈmaɪə/
From Hebrew Nechemyah meaning Yahweh comforts; borne by the Old Testament leader who rebuilt Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. source 1
Nehemiah was the 426th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 743 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 2010s, its births are down about 18% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #461 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #426 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 743 |
| Share of births | 1 in 4,462 |
| Peak decade | 2010s |
| Change over 10 years | −18% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #461 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Nehemiah crested in the 2010s and continues in solid use just under that mark. It is past its peak, with a slight easing expected in the next few years.
What goes with it
Pronounced nee uh MY uh, it moves in soft sounds with a strong biblical presence. Tobias makes a fitting companion, and Miah works as a short form.
Nicknames
- Neh
- Nia
- Miah
Honouring a Nehemiah in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Nehemiah is about 1 in 186.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, Hebrew.
Famous people named Nehemiah
- Nehemiah Persoff (1919–2022)American actor and painter
- Nehemiah Green (1837–1890)American politician
- Nehemiah R. Knight (1780–1854)American politician
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Keep exploring
In the same lists
Find names you'll both love, starting with Nehemiah
The one-minute style quiz.