Kermith
Uncommon masculine name, possibly derived from Old English elements meaning "church" and "might".
Name Census estimates that about 15 living Americans carry the first name Kermith. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Kermith today is around 76 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kermith births was 1925 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kermith. 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
- • The typical person named Kermith is about 76 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Kermiths were born before 1960.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Kermith. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
15
~ 1 in 22,850,289 Americans
Peak year
1925
6 babies that year
Average age
76
years old
1965 SSA rank
#4,206
Tracked since 1917
Popularity
Kermith: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Kermith from the 1910s through to the 1960s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1940s, with 11 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1940s peak, Kermith remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kermith 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 Kermith during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Kermith
The given name Kermith is a relatively uncommon name that has its origins rooted in ancient Germanic languages. It is derived from the Old High German word "kirmith," which means "protector" or "guardian." This name likely emerged during the Middle Ages, when Germanic tribes were widespread throughout parts of Europe.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kermith can be traced back to a 9th century manuscript from the Carolingian dynasty, where a nobleman named Kermith von Aachen is mentioned. This individual was said to have been a trusted advisor and protector of the royal family during that time period.
In the 11th century, a notable figure named Kermith of Lorraine was a prominent military commander who played a significant role in the Crusades. His bravery and leadership in battle earned him a reputation as a formidable protector of the Christian faith.
During the Renaissance period, a scholar and philosopher named Kermith von Wittenberg gained recognition for his writings on ethics and moral philosophy. Born in 1482, he was highly regarded for his contributions to the intellectual discourse of the time.
In the 17th century, a Dutch merchant and explorer named Kermith van der Meer made several voyages to the East Indies and documented his travels extensively. His detailed accounts provided valuable insights into the cultures and trade routes of the region.
Another notable figure with the name Kermith was a German artist and engraver named Kermith Reinhold, who lived in the 18th century. His intricate etchings and engravings were highly sought after by collectors and patrons of the arts during that era.
While the name Kermith is not as common today as it once was, its historical significance and meaning as a protector or guardian have endured throughout the centuries. The name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, each leaving their mark on history in their own unique way.
People
Kermith + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kermith as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Kermith: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kermith?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 15 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kermith 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 22,850,289 US residents.
Is Kermith a common name?
We classify Kermith as "Very Rare". It ranks above 35.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 42 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kermith most popular?
The single biggest year for Kermith was 1925, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kermith is about 76 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 Kermith in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Kermith a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kermith in the SSA data are male. 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 Kermith still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Kermith 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 Kermith 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 Kermith?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.