Jesse
Jesse is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Gift, or God exists.
Origin and history
Jesse is a classic masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning 'gift' or 'king'. It has been a steadily popular name in the United States since record-keeping began in 1880, ranking among the top 100 overall male names historically. In modern times, it remains a timeless choice with strong biblical roots.
Popularity in the United States
432,428 babies in the United States have been named Jesse since 1880. It ranks #77 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #194.
States where it is most popular
- CA (13.2 %)
- TX (11.3 %)
- NY (4.3 %)
- PA (3.8 %)
- NC (3.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 6,003 |
| 1890-1900 | 5,396 |
| 1900-1910 | 4,559 |
| 1910-1920 | 16,293 |
| 1920-1930 | 23,170 |
| 1930-1940 | 18,930 |
| 1940-1950 | 24,336 |
| 1950-1960 | 26,655 |
| 1960-1970 | 22,605 |
| 1970-1980 | 44,886 |
| 1980-1990 | 85,908 |
| 1990-2000 | 73,791 |
| 2000-2010 | 43,393 |
| 2010-2019 | 24,903 |
| 2020-2029 | 11,600 |
Famous people named Jesse
- Jesse Owens: Track and field athlete, Olympic champion
- Jesse Jackson: Civil rights activist, Politician
- Jesse Eisenberg: Actor, Playwright
Nicknames
Jess
Fun facts
- The 'Tree of Jesse' is a traditional artistic depiction of the ancestors of Jesus Christ, originating from the biblical figure.
- Jesse has ranked among the top 100 most popular male names in cumulative U.S. birth records since 1880.