Uriah: a male name of Hebrew origin meaning "This name derives from the Hebrew “‘ôrâh > ‘ûrı̂yâh / ‘ûrı̂yâhû > ‘Uriyah,” meaning “my light is Yahweh, the flame of God".It derives from the Hebrew word "'ôrâh > 'ûrı̂yâh / 'ûrı̂yâhû > 'Uriyah".
In Hebrew tradition, Uriah holds special significance as a masculine name representing This name derives from the Hebrew “‘ôrâh > ‘ûrı̂yâh / ‘ûrı̂yâhû > ‘Uriyah,” meaning “my light is Yahweh, the flame of God. This name has been cherished across generations, carrying with it the wisdom and heritage of Hebrew culture. Its enduring popularity speaks to its universal resonance.
Quick Facts About Uriah
Quick facts about Uriah
Origin
Hebrew
Gender
Boy name
Popularity
Moderately popular
Researched by Name Doctor Linguistics Team
Our names are verified by professional linguists with expertise in etymology and cultural naming traditions.
Last reviewed: November 2025
Meaning
This name derives from the Hebrew “‘ôrâh > ‘ûrı̂yâh / ‘ûrı̂yâhû > ‘Uriyah,” meaning “my light is Yahweh, the flame of God.” There are several characters in the bible by the name ‘Uriyah: 1) Uriah the Hittite was a soldier in King David’s army mentioned in the Second Book of Samuel. He was the husband of Bathsheba and was murdered by order of David by having the soldiers retreat from him in battle. 2) A priest who built King Ahaz’ heathen altar. 3) A priest who rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall. 4) A prophet killed by Jehoiakim.
Etymology & Details
Name Root
'ôrâh > 'ûrı̂yâh / 'ûrı̂yâhû > 'Uriyah
How to Pronounce Uriah
Uriah is pronounced /juˈraɪ.ə/(English)
Step-by-step pronunciation guide:
Break it into syllables: Ur-iah
Say it like: "UR-IAH"
Practice saying it naturally a few times
✓Pronunciation verified by linguistic sources
Usage & Popularity
This name has found popularity across english, and german speaking regions, demonstrating its cross-cultural appeal and adaptability.
englishgerman
Frequently Asked Questions About Uriah
What does the name Uriah mean?
Uriah means "This name derives from the Hebrew “‘ôrâh > ‘ûrı̂yâh / ‘ûrı̂yâhû > ‘Uriyah,” meaning “my light is Yahweh, the flame of God.” There are several characters in the bible by the name ‘Uriyah: 1) Uriah the Hittite was a soldier in King David’s army mentioned in the Second Book of Samuel. He was the husband of Bathsheba and was murdered by order of David by having the soldiers retreat from him in battle. 2) A priest who built King Ahaz’ heathen altar. 3) A priest who rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall. 4) A prophet killed by Jehoiakim.". The name comes from 'ôrâh > 'ûrı̂yâh / 'ûrı̂yâhû > 'Uriyah. In its original form, the name derives from 'ôrâh (אוֹרָה) Uriyah (אוּרִיָה). This hebrew name has been passed down through generations, carrying its meaning across different cultures and time periods. Parents who choose Uriah for boys often connect with the name's meaning of "This name derives from the Hebrew “‘ôrâh > ‘ûrı̂yâh / ‘ûrı̂yâhû > ‘Uriyah,” meaning “my light is Yahweh, the flame of God.” There are several characters in the bible by the name ‘Uriyah: 1) Uriah the Hittite was a soldier in King David’s army mentioned in the Second Book of Samuel. He was the husband of Bathsheba and was murdered by order of David by having the soldiers retreat from him in battle. 2) A priest who built King Ahaz’ heathen altar. 3) A priest who rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall. 4) A prophet killed by Jehoiakim." as a quality they hope to see in their child. While not the most common choice, Uriah's meaningful roots have given it staying power among parents looking for a name with substance. The name is associated with qualities like BIBLICAL, reflecting its meaning in how people perceive those who carry it.
What is the origin of the name Uriah?
Uriah is a hebrew name. The name traces back to 'ôrâh > 'ûrı̂yâh / 'ûrı̂yâhû > 'Uriyah. The original form 'ôrâh (אוֹרָה) Uriyah (אוּרִיָה) shows the name's roots in its native language. From its hebrew roots, Uriah spread to become common in english, german. The hebrew meaning "This name derives from the Hebrew “‘ôrâh > ‘ûrı̂yâh / ‘ûrı̂yâhû > ‘Uriyah,” meaning “my light is Yahweh, the flame of God.” There are several characters in the bible by the name ‘Uriyah: 1) Uriah the Hittite was a soldier in King David’s army mentioned in the Second Book of Samuel. He was the husband of Bathsheba and was murdered by order of David by having the soldiers retreat from him in battle. 2) A priest who built King Ahaz’ heathen altar. 3) A priest who rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall. 4) A prophet killed by Jehoiakim." reflects values important in the culture where this name first appeared.
Is Uriah a boy or girl name?
Uriah is a boy's name. The name has been used for boys across many generations, maintaining its masculine character through different eras and cultures. In hebrew tradition, Uriah has historically been given to boys. The meaning "This name derives from the Hebrew “‘ôrâh > ‘ûrı̂yâh / ‘ûrı̂yâhû > ‘Uriyah,” meaning “my light is Yahweh, the flame of God.” There are several characters in the bible by the name ‘Uriyah: 1) Uriah the Hittite was a soldier in King David’s army mentioned in the Second Book of Samuel. He was the husband of Bathsheba and was murdered by order of David by having the soldiers retreat from him in battle. 2) A priest who built King Ahaz’ heathen altar. 3) A priest who rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall. 4) A prophet killed by Jehoiakim." carries well for a son, giving the name lasting appeal.
How do you pronounce Uriah?
Uriah is pronounced "/juˈraɪ.ə/". This pronunciation follows en language patterns. As a single-syllable name, Uriah is quick to say and easy to call out. Pronunciation may vary slightly in english, german, where the name is also used. Local accents and language rules can shift certain sounds while keeping the name recognizable. If you're unfamiliar with hebrew names, listening to a native speaker say Uriah can help you catch the right rhythm and emphasis. The name's root 'ôrâh > 'ûrı̂yâh / 'ûrı̂yâhû > 'Uriyah influences how Uriah sounds in its original language.
How popular is the name Uriah?
Uriah is somewhat common, familiar to most people. With moderate popularity, Uriah offers familiarity without being everywhere. It's the kind of name people recognize but don't hear every day. Uriah's popularity may vary between hebrew communities and the broader population, where naming trends differ. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Hebrew “‘ôrâh > ‘ûrı̂yâh / ‘ûrı̂yâhû > ‘Uriyah,” meaning “my light is Yahweh, the flame of God.” There are several characters in the bible by the name ‘Uriyah: 1) Uriah the Hittite was a soldier in King David’s army mentioned in the Second Book of Samuel. He was the husband of Bathsheba and was murdered by order of David by having the soldiers retreat from him in battle. 2) A priest who built King Ahaz’ heathen altar. 3) A priest who rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall. 4) A prophet killed by Jehoiakim." likely influences its appeal, as parents often choose names that express values or hopes for their children. Among boys' names, Uriah holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
Where is the name Uriah commonly used?
Uriah is common in english and german naming traditions. Though hebrew in origin, Uriah found a home in other cultures where it resonated with local naming preferences. The meaning "This name derives from the Hebrew “‘ôrâh > ‘ûrı̂yâh / ‘ûrı̂yâhû > ‘Uriyah,” meaning “my light is Yahweh, the flame of God.” There are several characters in the bible by the name ‘Uriyah: 1) Uriah the Hittite was a soldier in King David’s army mentioned in the Second Book of Samuel. He was the husband of Bathsheba and was murdered by order of David by having the soldiers retreat from him in battle. 2) A priest who built King Ahaz’ heathen altar. 3) A priest who rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall. 4) A prophet killed by Jehoiakim." carries universal appeal, helping explain why different cultures adopted Uriah into their naming traditions. A child named Uriah will likely find their name recognized in multiple countries, which can be an advantage for families with international connections or who value global accessibility. Across these cultures, Uriah is given to boys, maintaining consistent gender association.
What is the cultural significance of Uriah?
Uriah carries associations with BIBLICAL. These qualities shape how people perceive the name and those who carry it, creating expectations and first impressions. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Hebrew “‘ôrâh > ‘ûrı̂yâh / ‘ûrı̂yâhû > ‘Uriyah,” meaning “my light is Yahweh, the flame of God.” There are several characters in the bible by the name ‘Uriyah: 1) Uriah the Hittite was a soldier in King David’s army mentioned in the Second Book of Samuel. He was the husband of Bathsheba and was murdered by order of David by having the soldiers retreat from him in battle. 2) A priest who built King Ahaz’ heathen altar. 3) A priest who rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall. 4) A prophet killed by Jehoiakim." reinforces these associations, connecting the literal translation to the character traits people expect. In hebrew culture, where Uriah originates, these qualities held particular value, making the name a way to express hopes for a child's character. Research shows that names do influence perceptions. People form impressions based on names before meeting someone, which means choosing Uriah sets certain expectations. Parents choosing Uriah often connect with one or more of these associations, selecting the name because it represents qualities they value or wish for their child. In english communities, these associations may carry extra weight, as naming traditions often reinforce cultural values.
Sources: Etymology verified through linguistic research including Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Behind the Name, and academic etymology databases.