Find out how popular the first name Jerika has been for the last 46 years (from 1978 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jerika by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Jerika is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jerika.

The history of the first name Jerika

The name Jerika has its roots in the ancient Germanic languages, tracing back to the 5th century CE. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "jerahaz," which translates to "spear" or "javelin." This connection to weaponry and warfare suggests that the name was likely given to individuals who were skilled in combat or were born into warrior families.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jerika can be found in the Codex Argenteus, a 6th-century manuscript containing a translation of the Bible into Gothic. In this text, the name appears as "Jerika," referring to a character mentioned in the Book of Judges.

During the Middle Ages, the name gained popularity among the Germanic tribes that settled in various regions of Europe. It was particularly prevalent among the Franks, who inhabited modern-day France and parts of Germany. Notable individuals bearing the name during this period include Jerika of Burgundy (c. 890-923 CE), a noblewoman who played a significant role in the political affairs of the Frankish Kingdom.

As the name spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Jerica, Jerika, and Jerikah. In the 12th century, a religious text known as the Codex Calixtinus, which documented the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, mentions a woman named Jerika who was a benefactor to the church.

During the Renaissance period, the name Jerika continued to be used, though it was less common than in earlier centuries. One notable figure from this era was Jerika von Anhalt (1516-1572), a German noblewoman and patron of the arts who supported the work of artists and intellectuals.

In the 17th century, the name gained some prominence in the Netherlands, where it was often spelled as Jerica or Jerika. Jerika van Rensselaer (1605-1689) was a Dutch colonist who played a significant role in the establishment of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, which later became part of New York state.

Throughout history, the name Jerika has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including nobility, religious figures, and patrons of the arts. While its usage has waxed and waned over the centuries, the name has maintained its connection to its Germanic roots and its association with strength and warrior heritage.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!