Jesse
Jesse: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈd͡ʒɛs.i/
Meaning and origin of Jesse
- A male given name from Hebrew of biblical origin.
- A female given name, variant of Jessie.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek Ἰεσσαί (Iessaí), from Hebrew יִשַׁי (Yishai).
How popular is Jesse?
Since 1880, 12,492 girls and 432,428 boys in the U.S. have been named Jesse (3% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #518 in 1981. Its highest rank for boys was #26 in 1882. In 2025 it ranked #184 for boys, with 2,074 babies given the name.
Names similar to Jesse
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Hebrew boy names
Sibling name ideas for Jesse
Sister and brother names that share Jesse's Hebrew roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Jesse FAQ
What does the name Jesse mean?
A male given name from Hebrew of biblical origin. A female given name, variant of Jessie. From Ancient Greek Ἰεσσαί (Iessaí), from Hebrew יִשַׁי (Yishai).
What is the origin of the name Jesse?
Jesse is listed as a name of Hebrew origin.
How popular is the name Jesse?
Since 1880, 12,492 girls and 432,428 boys in the U.S. have been named Jesse (3% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #518 in 1981. Its highest rank for boys was #26 in 1882. In 2025 it ranked #184 for boys, with 2,074 babies given the name.
Is Jesse a boy or girl name?
Jesse is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 12,492 girls and 432,428 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.