Berea first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Berea has been for the last 28 years (from 1993 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Berea

A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "well-watered place".

Popularity of Berea by gender

Based on the last 28 years of data, Berea is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Berea.

Year Male Count Female Count
2020 0 5
2015 0 6
2011 0 8
2010 0 6
2009 0 5
2005 0 5
2004 0 5
2003 0 6
2001 0 5
1997 0 6
1996 0 6
1993 0 5

The history of the first name Berea

The name Berea is believed to have its origins in the ancient Greek language. It is derived from the Greek word "beroe," which means "deep well" or "source of water." This name was likely given to settlements or regions that were located near significant water sources, such as natural springs or wells.

One of the earliest known references to the name Berea can be found in the New Testament of the Bible. In the Book of Acts, Berea is mentioned as a city in Macedonia, where the apostle Paul and his companions preached and found many receptive listeners among the Jewish community there. The city of Berea is described as being more "noble-minded" than those in Thessalonica, as the people eagerly studied the Scriptures to verify the teachings they received.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Berea. One of the earliest known was Berea of Edessa (c. 616-662), a Syrian Christian martyr who was killed for her faith during the Muslim conquest of her region. Another historical figure was Berea of Haddington (c. 1675-1733), a Scottish minister and theologian who wrote extensively on religious topics.

In more recent times, Berea College in Kentucky, founded in 1855, was named after the biblical city of Berea, reflecting the institution's commitment to promoting education and critical thinking. Berea Sanderson (1825-1917), an American abolitionist and educator, was a prominent figure in the establishment of this college.

Other notable individuals with the name Berea include Berea Clemens (1890-1976), an American writer and activist known for her work in promoting women's rights and social justice causes. Berea Hiramoto (1939-2015) was a renowned Japanese-American artist and sculptor, whose works explored themes of identity and cultural heritage.

While the name Berea may have originated from a specific geographic location, its meaning and association with deep wells or sources of water have given it a symbolic significance, often representing knowledge, wisdom, and the pursuit of understanding.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Berea was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Berea, please contact us.

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"Berea first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 30, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/berea-meaning-and-history/.

"Berea first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/berea-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 30 April, 2025

Berea first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/berea-meaning-and-history/.

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