Jair

Updated: June 13, 2022 by MomsWhoThink Staff

The baby name Jair sounds like a nickname for Jerry or Gerald, but it's actually an old biblical name from the Old Testament. The name is particularly popular in South American countries like Brazil, Peru, and Columbia, and it saw some popularity in the United States during the 1990s and 2000s. Jair is short and sweet and could be used for either a given name or a middle name. Pair it with a multi-syllable middle name to give it some strength.

Meaning of the name Jair:

Hebrew: He shines

Origin of the name Jair:

Jair is an old Hebrew name that comes straight from the Bible. He was a judge of Israel for 22 years, according to the book of Judges. He is also potentially a descendent of Joseph or Judah.

Symbolism of the name Jair:

Because of the name's meaning, new parents may see their baby Jair as a shining light in their lives. Parents of the Jewish and Christian faith may also find symbolic meaning in the name based on its biblical history.

Style of the name Jair:

Biblical, historical, traditional

Gender of the name Jair:

Jair is a boy's name.

Pronunciation of the name Jair:

JARE

Number of syllables in the name Jair:

One

Emotion evoked from the name Jair:

The baby name Jair evokes images of someone who is independent and always thinking of new ways to accomplish tasks.

Alternative spellings for the name Jair:

Jaer
Jer
Jere
Jerr
Jayr

Nicknames for the name Jair:

Popularity of the name Jair:

According to the Social Security Administration, Jair was a top 1,000 baby name for boys in the United States in 1996 and again in 2001. It's been on the list ever since. As of 2021, Jair ranks at number 945.