Find out how popular the first name Semhar has been for the last 27 years (from 1988 to 2014) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Semhar by gender

Based on the last 27 years of data, Semhar is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2014, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Semhar.

The history of the first name Semhar

The name Semhar has its origins in the ancient Semitic languages of the Middle East and Northeast Africa. It is derived from the root words "smhr" or "shemharah," which translate to "guardian" or "keeper" in these languages. The earliest known use of this name dates back to the 6th century BC in the region now known as Eritrea.

In the ancient Ge'ez language, which was the liturgical language of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the name Semhar was spelled as "ሰምሃር" (s-m-h-r). This language heavily influenced the naming traditions of the region, and the name Semhar became popular among the Christian communities of Eritrea and Ethiopia.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Semhar can be found in the Kebra Nagast, a 14th-century account of the origins of the Solomonic dynasty in Ethiopia. In this text, Semhar is mentioned as the name of a wise and respected elder from the tribe of Judah.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Semhar. One of the earliest was Semhar Dengel (1563-1597), a prominent military leader and member of the Solomonic dynasty who ruled as Emperor of Ethiopia from 1589 to 1597.

Another notable figure was Semhar Michael (1868-1936), an Ethiopian ecclesiastic who served as the Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church from 1920 until his death in 1936.

In more recent times, Semhar Werati (1932-2022) was a renowned Eritrean artist and sculptor who played a significant role in the cultural renaissance of her country. Her works are displayed in museums and galleries around the world.

Semhar Metaferia (born 1958) is an Eritrean-American engineer and the first female executive director of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, a prominent advocacy organization for voter rights and civic engagement.

Semhar Haile (born 1985) is an Eritrean-American model and actress who has appeared in numerous television shows and films, including "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" and "Ballers."

While the name Semhar has its roots in the ancient languages of the Middle East and Northeast Africa, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply tied to the rich cultural heritage of Eritrea and Ethiopia.

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

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

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