Gideon
Gideon is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Feller, hewer, or one who cuts down.
Origin and history
Gideon is a traditional name of Hebrew origin meaning 'feller' or 'hewer'. It stems from the Old Testament, where Gideon was a military leader and judge chosen by God to deliver the Israelites. In the United States, the name has seen a steady rise in popularity in recent decades, appealing to parents looking for a classic, strong Biblical option.
Popularity in the United States
22,270 babies in the United States have been named Gideon since 1880. It ranks #786 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #322.
States where it is most popular
- TX (8.9 %)
- CA (7.4 %)
- PA (5.9 %)
- OH (5.3 %)
- NY (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 81 |
| 1890-1900 | 24 |
| 1900-1910 | 40 |
| 1910-1920 | 185 |
| 1920-1930 | 226 |
| 1930-1940 | 115 |
| 1940-1950 | 120 |
| 1950-1960 | 160 |
| 1960-1970 | 207 |
| 1970-1980 | 402 |
| 1980-1990 | 704 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,089 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,460 |
| 2010-2019 | 9,221 |
| 2020-2029 | 6,236 |
Famous people named Gideon
- Gideon Sundback: Engineer, Inventor
- Gideon Yago: Journalist, Writer
- Gideon Adlon: Actress
Nicknames
Gid, Giddy
Fun facts
- In the Bible, Gideon led a famous victory against Midianite forces with an army reduced to just 300 men.
- While used continuously for centuries, Gideon reached its highest U.S. ranking in the 2010s and 2020s.