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 name is Kerith. Not until I went to University did I meet another Kerith. I repeat it and spell it 100 times a day and it is still spelt wrong, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. My mom was reading the book The Source before she had me and she loved the name. I don’t like my parents’ other options so I am really pleased they picked this one. I generally answer to anything beginning with a K and my family me call Kate or Katie. My brother calls me Ke!
Kerið is a form of the Icelandic word ker, meaning “tub, vat, basin, container, vessel”.
The Hebrew Kerith has its root in a word meaning “cut (down/off)”.
Thanks, Panya!
I think this name is beautiful and like the Cherith version of this name (with the hard k pronunciation) best, maybe because of the symmetry of the “h” shape and it visually reminds me of “charity.”
Thanks for looking up this name!
My daughter’s name is Kerith and no one has ever called her Kerri. The Iceland connection is interesting as she has been there at least three times.
James Michener wrote “The Source” and that is where I came across the name. My daughter was born in 1983. Her name is Kerith Amanda. I believe that it is an old Hebrew name but I do not know if there is a meaning – perhaps the “place of shelter” as mentioned above.
I grew up borrowing books from the James A. Michener Public Library – can’t believe I never knew that! Thanks, Steve. Gorgeous name!
I know a Kerith. The name is nice. It’s also sometimes spelled Cherith, but I think in English getting folks to say “Ch” as “K” is tough.
Super rare–it’s not even on Nameberry! This is not my usual style, but I find myself liking it quite a bit. My mom is Karen, so I can see how this would be a nice way to honor, perhaps in the middle. I also like Carys for this same reason, and it has a similar feel.
PS. I think it looks with Meredith … if you like Meredith, you might like Kerith.
Oooh … good point, Fiona!
I have never heard this name before. From that perspective I think it could suit a man (think Keith) or woman. Actually, if I didn’t have a child with a k initial already, this would be a contender!
I had never heard of this name but may add it to my list of K girl names to honour my dad Kevin. Not sure I love the th ending, she would probably spend most of her life as nn Kerri