Shemaiah

Attested in 1 language in the etymology graph.

Shemaiah is also recorded as another name, grouped separately because the records behind them do not connect to the one described above.

• French given name3 spellings in the group

  Most recorded in France, United States

  Also written Shémaiah, Shémaïah

26 further groups record this spelling and are not listed here.

Grouping is the name graph's, not a register's: two spellings join a group when the evidence links them, so a group is a claim about the records rather than about the people.

Shemaiah is also recorded in 5 other lexicons, as a different name or as an ordinary word. These are senses of the spelling, not of the name above.

• Shemaiah's significance is primarily genealogical, serving as a link in the Davidic line of succession after the Babylonian exile. His inclusion in the biblical record demonstrates the biblical author's belief in the fulfillment of God's promise to David that his dynasty would endure, which is a cornerstone of Jewish and Christian messianic expectation.

  as a name·Biblical Names Compiled Database

• The name Shemaiah means "Yahweh has heard" or "God heard," reflecting the common Hebrew practice of creating theophoric names that express a relationship with or attribute of God. It signifies a belief in a God who is attentive to the prayers and circumstances of His people.

  as a name·Biblical Names Compiled Database

• While the name Shemaiah itself means "God has heard" and is associated with several biblical figures, this particular Shemaiah has a strong negative connotation as a false prophet who rebelled against God. For this reason, he is not typically seen as a positive namesake.

  as a name·Biblical Names Compiled Database

• Shemaiah is a strong biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning 'God has heard.' In the Bible, it is the name of several figures, including a Levite who helped restore worship in Jerusalem, making it a name associated with faith and restoration.

  as a name·Biblical Names Compiled Database

• The name Shemaiah (Hebrew: שְׁמַעְיָה, Sh'ma'yah) is derived from two Hebrew roots: 'shama' (שָׁמַע), meaning 'to hear,' and 'Yah' (יָהּ), a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. Thus, the name literally means 'Yahweh has heard'.

  as a name·Biblical Names Compiled Database

Ordered by how much of this spelling's record each language holds, so a sense from a language the name is barely used in sits last rather than first.

A formal English salutation is built on the surname, so it needs a full name — on its own, a first name only supports the informal form.

Register rows as of the 2026-10-09 data build.

What does the name Shemaiah mean, and where does it come from?

The name Shemaiah means "heard by Yahweh" in Hebrew, derived from the words 'shama' (to hear) and 'Yah' (a shortened form of God's name). Recorded by Biblical Names Compiled Database.

What are other forms of the name Shemaiah?

In the etymology graph, Shema'Yah is a form of the same name in other languages.

How do you pronounce Shemaiah?

A machine transcription gives /ʃɛmɛjɑː/ (IPA) for English.

Is Shemaiah a male or female name?

Shemaiah is used for both men and women. National registers that list it by sex count it under both: United States (Census Bureau, 2020). We don't publish a percentage split.

In which country does Shemaiah have the most bearers?

In the United States, the national register counted about 333 people named Shemaiah, more than in any other country we hold, where it is most often spelled shemaiah.

Where is Shemaiah most common?

Measured as a share of residents rather than as a count, Shemaiah is densest in Guyana — about 1 in 31 thousand people — even though United States holds more of our records for it.

How common is the name Shemaiah?

In the United States, the national register counted 333 people named Shemaiah in 2020, about 1 in 999 thousand residents.