The nameJesse
Jesse is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift". The name of the father of King David, it is popular in the United States and the Netherlands.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
Meaning
Jesse comes from the Hebrew Yishai, often read as "gift" or "God exists".
Origin
Hebrew. In the Bible, Jesse is the father of David. The Tree of Jesse, showing the ancestors of Christ, is a famous theme of medieval art.
History
Jesse Owens, winner of four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and the outlaw Jesse James made the name famous in America. It reached the American top 30.
Famous people named Jesse
- Jesse Owens, athlete
- Jesse James, outlaw
- Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader
- Jesse Lingard, footballer
Popularity of the name Jesse
Jesse in the United States
Jesse was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 89,027 births over the decade, 20% of all recorded babies named Jesse. Its rise began around 1912, and it peaked in 1981. Half of all babies named Jesse in the United States were born before 1982, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 1,980 births a year.
Jesse in the United Kingdom
Jesse was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 5,892 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Jesse. Half of all babies named Jesse in the United Kingdom were born before 2018, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 981 births a year on average, against 846 in the five years before.
Jesse in Ireland
Jesse in France
Jesse in Belgium
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Jesse
Names from the same generation as Jesse, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Jesse? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Jesse with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Jesse side by side with the name of your choice.
Jesse in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jesse mean?
Jesse comes from the Hebrew Yishai, often read as "gift" or "God exists".
What is the origin of the name Jesse?
Hebrew. In the Bible, Jesse is the father of David. The Tree of Jesse, showing the ancestors of Christ, is a famous theme of medieval art.
Is Jesse a girl's or a boy's name?
Jesse is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Jesse?
In 2024, Jesse was the 187th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,980 births.
What are the variants of the name Jesse?
Variants and related names of Jesse include Jessy.
What are good sibling names for Jesse?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Anna, Mary, Ana and Madeline for a sister, Miguel, Nathaniel, Juan and Manuel for a brother.
Who are famous people named Jesse?
Jesse Owens, athlete; Jesse James, outlaw; Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader; Jesse Lingard, footballer.