Find out how popular the first name Cherub has been for the last 21 years (from 1979 to 1999) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cherub by gender

Based on the last 21 years of data, Cherub is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1999, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Cherub.

The history of the first name Cherub

The name Cherub originated from the Hebrew word "kerub", which referred to the celestial beings or winged angels mentioned in the Bible and other ancient Semitic texts. The word "kerub" itself is believed to derive from the Akkadian word "karubu", meaning "one who blesses" or "one who intercedes".

In the Old Testament, cherubim are described as powerful angelic beings who serve as guardians of God's glory and are often depicted as winged creatures with human or animal-like features. They are mentioned in the Book of Genesis, where cherubim are placed at the east of the Garden of Eden to guard the way to the Tree of Life.

The name Cherub gained popularity in the Christian tradition, particularly during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, when it was commonly used in religious art and literature to represent the highest order of angels. Artists like Raphael and Michelangelo depicted cherubim as plump, winged babies or young children, which became a popular artistic representation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cherub being used as a personal name dates back to the 16th century. A notable bearer of the name was Cherub Linn (1598-1647), an English Puritan clergyman and author who served as the rector of Ockham in Surrey.

Other historical figures with the name Cherub include:

1. Cherub Jones (1625-1701), an English Puritan and writer who published several religious works.
2. Cherub Gilpin (1633-1711), an English Baptist minister and author from Somerset.
3. Cherub Sandhurst (1695-1772), an English Baptist minister and author from Gloucestershire.
4. Cherub Browne (1705-1768), an English Baptist minister and author from Northamptonshire.
5. Cherub Denton (1750-1823), an English Baptist minister and author from Northamptonshire.

While the name Cherub was particularly popular among Puritan and Baptist families in England during the 17th and 18th centuries, it fell out of common usage in the 19th century and is now considered an uncommon or archaic name in most parts of the world.

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 Cherub was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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