Worn by nearly 195,000 people in France, this masculine first name of sacred origin has survived the centuries without ever really disappearing. Long discreet, it experienced a meteoric rise in the 20th century before falling back into an almost confidential rarity today.
A spiritual and scholarly heritage
Coming from ancient Greek, the first name Jerome means “sacred name”. It is closely linked to the figure of Saint Jerome, an immense scholar of the 5th century. We owe him the translation into Latin of a large part of the Bible, a colossal work which will make him the patron saint of translators.
Paradoxically, despite this titanic work and the importance of his figure in religious and intellectual history, the first name remained marginal for a long time. Until the 19th century, it little inspired parents, both in France and elsewhere in Europe.
A spectacular rise in the 20th century
It was finally during the 20th century that the first name really established itself in France. After a few timid breakthroughs across the Channel, he found favorable ground in France. His rise was rapid and reached a remarkable peak: 6th place in the national rankings in 1974.
This popularity, typical of the great waves of first names of the time, would not last, however. From the end of the century, the ebb began and accelerated, making this first name a choice that became rare at the start of the 2020s.
Current rarity, variants and temperament
Today, the projections are unequivocal: less than 30 children should have this first name in 2026. He is not related to Jérémy, but the proximity of their first letters may have contributed indirectly to the latter’s rise at one time.
The first name exists in many variations depending on the culture: Gérôme, Géronimo, Girolamo, Jeroen, Jéronime, Jéronimo, Yerom, without forgetting the Basque form Jerolin.
In terms of temperament, L’Officiel des Prénoms associates him with a character marked by communication, enthusiasm and willpower. Practical and resolute, the people who wear it are often distinguished by their concrete sense of action and their ability to see their projects through to the end.