Boy · 51st of 16,616
Jesse
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
442,811
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1981
Peak Popularity Year
10,824
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jesse stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Jesse has Hebrew origins, meaning 'gift' or 'God's gift.' It evolved from the Hebrew Yishai to the English Jesse. The name has biblical significance as the father of King David and has maintained popularity through history, particularly in Christian contexts. It is associated with positive traits and has a friendly image today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɛsi/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Jesse comes from the Hebrew name יִשַׁי (Yishai), which means 'gift' or 'God's gift.' In the Bible, Jesse is the father of King David.
Meaning
gift, God's gift
Language Evolution
Yishai (Hebrew), Jesse (English)
Biblical Background
Jesse is a significant biblical figure, mentioned in the Old Testament as the father of David, making the name prominent in Judeo-Christian heritage.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the medieval period and has remained in use since then, often associated with biblical roots.
Variants & Derivatives
Jess, Jessie, Jessey
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Jesse is viewed as a classic yet modern name, often associated with warmth and friendliness.
Famous People
Jesse Jackson, American civil rights activist, Jesse Owens, American track and field athlete, Jesse McCartney, American singer and actor
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 10,824 peak births in 1981
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 11 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 77th of 7545 | 39,285 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 103rd of 6773 | 36,839 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 130th of 7552 | 48,648 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 72nd of 10718 | 64,506 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 51st of 16616 | 134,961 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 98th of 24088 | 68,719 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 181st of 23106 | 25,499 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1104th of 9107 | 801 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1536th of 9204 | 480 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2134th of 12526 | 508 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1179th of 19264 | 1,596 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 634th of 27321 | 5,165 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1260th of 35406 | 2,818 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2577th of 30306 | 823 |