Jametra
A feminine name of uncertain meaning, potentially derived from African origins.
Name Census estimates that about 21 living Americans carry the first name Jametra. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Jametra today is around 42 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Jametra births was 1986 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Jametra. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Jametra. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
21
~ 1 in 16,321,635 Americans
Peak year
1986
7 babies that year
Average age
42
years old
1986 SSA rank
#8,895
Tracked since 1981
Popularity
Jametra: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Jametra by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Jametra during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 | 22 | 22 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Jametra
The name Jametra is a unique and intriguing one, with its origins rooted in the African continent. It is believed to have emerged from the Bantu languages spoken across various regions of Africa, particularly in the western and central parts of the continent.
The name Jametra is thought to be derived from the combination of two words or roots from different Bantu dialects. The first part, "Jam," may have its roots in the word "jamaa," which in Swahili means "family" or "community." The second part, "etra," could be linked to the word "etera," found in certain Bantu languages, which signifies "blessing" or "good fortune."
While the exact origins and meanings of the name remain somewhat shrouded in mystery, scholars believe that Jametra may have been used as a name to express the wish for a child to bring blessings and prosperity to their family or community. This connection to prosperity and good fortune aligns with the cultural values and beliefs of many African societies, where children are seen as a source of joy, continuity, and hope for the future.
In terms of historical references, the name Jametra does not appear to have been widely documented in ancient texts or religious scriptures. However, it is possible that variations or similar names may have been used in different parts of Africa throughout history, reflecting the diverse linguistic and cultural tapestry of the continent.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Jametra can be traced back to the late 19th century, when it was documented as the name of a woman from the Bakongo people of present-day Democratic Republic of Congo. Unfortunately, detailed records of her life and achievements have been lost to time.
Throughout the 20th century, a few notable individuals bore the name Jametra, although their stories and accomplishments have not been widely documented or celebrated on a global scale. One such individual was Jametra Haynes (1920-2002), an American educator and community leader from Mississippi, who dedicated her life to empowering young minds and advocating for educational opportunities in her local community.
Another notable figure was Jametra Benton (1945-2018), an American writer and poet whose works explored themes of identity, resilience, and the African-American experience. Her poetry collections, such as "Reflections of a Black Woman" and "Echoes of a Whisper," garnered critical acclaim and shed light on the rich tapestry of African-American literature.
Additionally, Jametra Slaughter (1960-present) is a renowned American business executive and entrepreneur who has made significant contributions to the field of technology and diversity initiatives. She has held leadership positions in various companies and organizations, championing the advancement of women and underrepresented groups in the tech industry.
While the name Jametra may not have a long and well-documented history, it carries within it the essence of African cultural heritage, a celebration of family, community, and the hope for blessings and prosperity. As our understanding of diverse cultures and their linguistic traditions deepens, the richness and significance of names like Jametra will continue to be explored and appreciated.
People
Jametra + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Jametra as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with J
Other first names starting with J with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Jametra: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Jametra?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 21 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Jametra going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 16,321,635 US residents.
Is Jametra a common name?
We classify Jametra as "Very Rare". It ranks above 40.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 22 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Jametra most popular?
The single biggest year for Jametra was 1986, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Jametra is about 42 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Jametra in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Jametra a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Jametra in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Jametra still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Jametra in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Jametra can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have the name Jametra?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.