Kerith belongs with the true rarities, a name with a fascinating story to tell.
Our Baby Name of the Day was inspired by journalist Kerith Burke.
Kerith: Iceland
Visit Iceland, and you’ll find a volcanic crater lake called Kerið. The name might be Anglicized to Kerith or Kerid. I couldn’t find a word about the name’s origin. It seems too obscure to have inspired many parents, and yet it could explain a few.
Kerith: Biblical Place Name
Instead, most bearers of the name probably owe it to the Bible. Specifically, 1 Kings 17. It tells that Elijah prophesied that there would be a drought to punish the unfaithful. God helps Elijah survive by hiding in Kerith Ravine.
Elijah lived; the guilty repented; and, after much suffering, the drought ended.
While any name mentioned in the Bible is likely to see some use, this is fairly obscure. Irish novelist George Moore gets credit for raising the name’s profile in the twentieth century. He penned The Brook Kerith in 1916, imagining if Christ had not died on the cross, but instead was nursed back to health.
The idea stirred up controversy aplenty, and while writers have tangled with similar themes since, it was also relatively novel for 1916. Certainly, it may have helped bring the name into greater familiarity.
Kerith: By the Numbers
Moore’s novel did not, however, inspire parents to name their daughters Kerith.
It wasn’t until 1967 that 12 girls received the name. In 1968, the number rose to 20. The name appears steadily in the Social Security statistics afterwards, given to a few girls every year through 1983. It fades after that year. Five girls were named Kerith in 2006, and five more in 2011. But the numbers have stayed low in recent years.
What explains the 1960s surge? I’m stumped!
I found a few churches by the name, which appear to be more recent in their establishment, so perhaps there’s a spiritual use I’ve missed.
Kerith: Sound
Of course, the 1960s saw Karen reach the US Top Ten. Carol and Carolyn remained Top 100 choices. And Kerry and Kerri rose rapidly for girls in the era.
Perhaps the name simply fit with all the other Kar/Ker/Car choices in favor.
Kerith: Burke
Plenty of women with the name can be found through a Google search, but Ms. Burke has become the most prominent.
The sports journalist has covered the New York Mets, along with her alma mater, the University of Connecticut. Burke played basketball for the UConn Huskies. Most recently, she covered the 2016 Olympic games in Rio.
Kerith: Wearable Rarity
And yet, Ms. Burke’s fame falls short of what’s required to make this rarity more common.
The name is likely to remain distinctive – rarer now that it was in twentieth century! But it could appeal to many parents.
- While Carol and Kerry have faded, parents still love Car- names for girls, like Caroline.
- Th is having a resurgence, both with Th-starting names like Thea, but also with names ending in -th.
- It fits with vintage names like Harriet, but also with modern choices like Harper. It’s tailored, but not quite unisex – at least based on usage.
- The spiritual meaning – a place of shelter for the faithful in difficult times – seems likely to appeal to some families.
Overall, if you love your baby names rare, tailored, and spiritual, this is one to consider.
Would you consider Kerith for a daughter?
My wife and I were trying to figure out another K name for our son. We heard a sermon on Elijah at church and liked the name Kerith. So, we named our son Kerith. A family name is Brooks, so we named him Kerith Brooks to fit the place Elijah was fed by the ravens. I know it’s supposed to be a girl name, but we thought it all fit really well together.
CoolWoody24, I think that works really well! And Kerith is so rare that I think it’s equal opportunity.
my name’s kerith
ayyyy
I’m a Kerith. My mom passed when I was a kid so family had to tell me where my name came from. Due to this, I know my name is from The Source, NOT Hawaii. They got the author right. We are all K’s in my family with unique names. I think our parents gave us a gift.
My name is Kerith Wilson born in 1969. My mother also got the name from The Source. I love the name because it is unique. Although when my husband (who speaks fluent Hebrew) pronounces the name in the original Hebrew it sounds quite different but also extremely beautiful.
Totally useable! I really like it.
As mentioned already – The Source, by James Michener – Kerith is a character in the book. My mom happened to read it when pregnant (born in 1971). Most people I meet think it is Welsh (like Gareth). Yes, I have to repeat and spell it all the time, but when someone remembers it, it means something to me.
I am also a Kerith because my mom read Michener’s “The Source”. Born in 74!