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Gershom

Gender: Masculine
Language: English
Etymology:
Gershom comes from a Hebrew name meaning “Bell” (according to Withycombe’s The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names) or “Exile” (according to Hanks and Hodges A Dictionary of First Names).

There is also the Biblical explanation, a “folk etymology” that holds that Gershom means “Stranger” from the phrase “ger sham.”

History:
Gershom is a a Biblical name found among Jews and 17th century English Puritans.

Pronunciation: gur-shem.


Alternates: Gershon.

Famous Bearers:
Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Gershom ben Judah (965-1040)
German rabbi and scholar.
Frederic Gershom Melcher (1879-1963)
American publisher.
Gershom Gerhard Scholem (1897-1982)
German-Jewish scholar.

Religious Figures:
Gershom
Son of Moses.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
less than 0.004 % named Gershom

Popularity of Gershom:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-2000: N/A

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