A theophoric name built on the root r-ḥ-m ('compassion'), expressing the prayer 'may he be shown mercy.' Its most prominent bearer is the grandfather of the prophet Samuel through the Ephraimite line (1 Sam 1:1). The name recurs across tribal boundaries — Benjaminites, Levitical priests, a Danite chief, and a military captain under Jehoiada — reflecting its broad popularity in Israelite naming. The Septuagint renders it variously as Ieroam, Ieroboam, and even Ierameel, showing how Greek translators struggled with this distinctively Semitic prayer-name.