Find out how popular the first name Jair has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jair by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jair is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Jair being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 206 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Jair.

The history of the first name Jair

The name Jair has its origins in the Hebrew language, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "yaʾir," which means "he enlightens" or "he shines." The name is associated with light, illumination, and enlightenment.

One of the earliest historical references to the name Jair can be found in the Hebrew Bible, where it is mentioned as the name of a judge who ruled over Israel for 22 years (Judges 10:3-5). This suggests that the name was in use among the ancient Israelites during the period of the judges, which is estimated to be around 1200-1000 BCE.

In the biblical account, Jair is described as having 30 sons who rode on 30 donkeys and controlled 30 towns in the land of Gilead. This passage highlights the name's connection to leadership and authority during that era.

Another notable figure named Jair appears in the Book of Numbers (32:41), where he is mentioned as a descendant of the tribe of Manasseh who conquered and settled in the region of Gilead. This further reinforces the name's association with the ancient Israelites and their territorial conquests.

Outside of the Hebrew Bible, the name Jair has been used throughout history by various individuals of Jewish descent. One notable person was Jair ben Shmuel (c. 1590-1670), a prominent Talmudic scholar and author who lived in Poland during the 17th century.

In more recent times, Jair Bolsonaro (born 1955) is a Brazilian politician and former military officer who served as the 38th president of Brazil from 2019 to 2023.

Other notable individuals named Jair include Jair Messías Campos (1942-2017), a Brazilian football player and manager; Jair Lopes de Carvalho (born 1946), a Brazilian politician and former governor of the state of Minas Gerais; and Jair Jurrjens (born 1986), a Dutch-born Major League Baseball pitcher who played for various teams, including the Atlanta Braves.

The name Jair has maintained its connection to its Hebrew roots, with its meaning of "he enlightens" or "he shines" serving as a reminder of its ancient origins and associations with light, illumination, and enlightenment.

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

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

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