Sem
/SEM/
Sem is a boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning Name, renown.
- GenderBoy
- OriginHebrew
- StyleModern
- Syllables1
What does Sem mean?
Name, renown
Sem is the Dutch form of Shem, from the Hebrew shem, meaning "name" and by extension "renown" or "reputation".
The story behind the name
Shem was the eldest son of Noah, and the word Semitic derives from his name - a nineteenth-century coinage for the language family traditionally traced to his descendants.
As a modern Dutch name, Sem has no particular religious weight; it belongs to the same wave of short, open-vowelled names as Daan, Finn and Luuk. It has been a fixture of the Dutch top five since the early 2000s.
Notable people named Sem
- Shem, son of Noah
Variants and related names
Other spellings: Shem, Semme
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Start swiping - it's freeFrequently asked questions about Sem
What does the name Sem mean?
Sem means Name, renown. It is of Hebrew origin.
Is Sem a boy's or a girl's name?
Sem is most often given to boys.
How do you pronounce Sem?
Sem is pronounced SEM.
What are other spellings of Sem?
Common variants include Shem, Semme.