Jared
/ˈd͡ʒæɹ.əd/
Jared comes from the Hebrew Yared or Yered meaning “descent.” In the Old Testament, Jared is a descendant of Adam mentioned in Genesis: he was the father of Enoch and lived to the age of 962, making him one of the longest-lived figures in Genesis.
The name entered American use through Protestant Reformation-era biblical naming and gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century.
The TV series The Big Valley (1965–1969) featured a character named Jarrod Barkley, which popularized the name in the 1960s.
What the name Jared means
Jared ranked No. 393 in 2024 with 828 births. It peaked at No. 51 in 1998 with 7,462 births, a top-50 name at its height that has declined significantly since.
Actor Jared Leto (1971–), Jared Polis (Governor of Colorado), and Jared Kushner are among the most prominent current bearers across entertainment and politics.
The Subway restaurant campaign featuring “Jared from Subway” gave the name unexpected pop-culture resonance for a decade.
Two syllables — JAIR-ed — are clean and familiar. The name has an approachable, comfortable quality typical of mid-1990s American boy names.
Parents who like the sound of Jared and want a name with biblical credentials and a current Hollywood bearer find it a dependable choice despite its post-peak status.
Related Hebrew descent-root names include Jordan (from “descent” as well) and Jadon. In the 1990s name cluster, Jeremy, Justin, and Jason occupied the same register.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Jared
Jared - similar names
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