Find out how popular the first name Semere has been for the last 10 years (from 2009 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Semere by gender

Based on the last 10 years of data, Semere is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Semere.

The history of the first name Semere

The name Semere is believed to have originated in Eritrea and Ethiopia, where it has been used as a male given name for centuries. It is derived from the Semitic root "SMR," which means "to keep" or "to guard." The name likely emerged during the ancient Aksumite Kingdom, which ruled over parts of present-day Eritrea and Ethiopia from the 1st to the 8th century AD.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Semere can be found in the Ge'ez language, which was the literary language of the Aksumite Kingdom. In Ge'ez, the name is spelled "ሰምርዕ" (Säm'rä'). It is thought to have been used as a personal name among the Aksumite nobility and clergy.

In the 14th century, the name Semere appeared in the Kebre Negest, a historical and philosophical work that is considered one of the most significant literary works in Ge'ez. The book chronicles the lives of various rulers and religious figures in the region.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Semere. One of the earliest recorded was Semere Keflezghi (c. 1600 - c. 1670), a renowned Ethiopian philosopher and theologian who wrote extensively on Christian doctrine and defended the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church against Catholic missionaries.

Another famous bearer of the name was Semere Desta (1809 - 1868), an Eritrean chief and military leader who played a crucial role in the resistance against Egyptian and Ottoman occupation in the 19th century. He is regarded as a national hero in Eritrea.

In the 20th century, Semere Russom (1914 - 1997) was a prominent Eritrean politician and diplomat who served as the first ambassador of Eritrea to the United Nations after the country gained independence in 1993.

The name Semere has also been borne by several notable writers and artists, including Semere Haile (1923 - 2003), an Eritrean novelist and playwright who is considered one of the founders of modern Eritrean literature, and Semere Ghebreab (born 1942), an Eritrean visual artist known for his paintings and sculptures that explore Eritrean identity and culture.

Despite its ancient origins, the name Semere remains popular in Eritrea and Ethiopia to this day, reflecting the enduring cultural significance and historical legacy of this name in the region.

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

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

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