NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Jairus

Of Hebrew origin meaning "he who enlightens" or "he will enlighten".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Jairus is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Jairus popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3254, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2018, with 8 births.

This profile covers 81 England and Wales registrations across 18 recorded years from 2002 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 81 living people in the UK are called Jairus. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Jairus ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2018, when 8 boys were registered as Jairus.
  • About 81 living people in the UK are estimated to have Jairus as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3254

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

2018

8 births

Estimated living

81

2026

Meaning

What does Jairus mean?

The name Jairus has its origins in the ancient Greek language. It is derived from the Greek word "Iaomai," which means "to heal." This suggests that the name may have been associated with healing or medical practitioners in ancient times.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jairus can be found in the New Testament of the Bible. In the Gospels of Mark and Luke, there is a reference to a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. He pleaded with Jesus to heal his dying daughter, and Jesus ultimately restored her to life. This biblical story is believed to have taken place around the 1st century AD.

In the early Christian era, the name Jairus gained popularity among believers, as it was associated with the biblical figure and the miraculous healing performed by Jesus. It was particularly common in regions with strong Christian traditions, such as parts of Europe and the Middle East.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Jairus was Jairus of Arles, a 6th-century bishop who lived in what is now southern France. He is considered a saint in the Catholic Church and is known for his efforts in promoting Christianity in the region.

Another notable figure with the name Jairus was Jairus Ogan, an early American Baptist minister and educator who lived from 1768 to 1826. He was a prominent figure in the establishment of the Baptist Church in Virginia and played a significant role in the founding of several educational institutions.

In the 19th century, Jairus Wilcox (1804-1869) was an American inventor and businessman who patented several innovative designs for cooking stoves and heating systems. His inventions contributed to the improvement of household appliances and heating technologies during the Industrial Revolution.

Jairus Banaji (1850-1938) was an influential Indian scholar and social reformer. He was a prominent figure in the Parsi community and worked tirelessly to promote education and social progress in British India.

Jairus Hiyo (1920-2002) was a renowned Kenyan politician and activist. He played a pivotal role in the struggle for independence in Kenya and served as a member of parliament, representing the interests of his community and advocating for democratic reforms.

While the name Jairus has its roots in ancient Greek and biblical traditions, it has been used across various cultures and regions throughout history, often carrying associations with healing, religion, and notable achievements in various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Jairus over time

The chart below shows babies named Jairus registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Jairus, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Jairus
02468200220132024

Decades

Jairus by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Jairus was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3692 19 4
2010s #3618 49 10
2000s #3934 13 4

Related

Names similar to Jairus

FAQ

Jairus: questions and answers

How popular is the name Jairus in the UK right now?

In 2024, Jairus was ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Jairus most popular?

The peak year on record was 2018, with 8 babies registered as Jairus in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Jairus?

Of Hebrew origin meaning "he who enlightens" or "he will enlighten".

How many people are called Jairus in the UK?

A total of 81 babies have been registered as Jairus across the 18 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.