Jesse
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Gift, God exists
Origin: Hebrew
Popularity: Ranked #184 in 2025 with 2,002 babies born.
History: Jesse was the father of King David in the Old Testament and an ancestor of Jesus in the New Testament. His name means gift or God exists. It was used by Puritan settlers and has remained in steady use in English-speaking countries. Associated with outlaw Jesse James and athlete Jesse Owens, the name has a distinctly American frontier spirit.
Famous people named Jesse: Jesse Owens (sprinter)
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Jesse? About 1 in 1,605 babies born in 2025 were named Jesse, or roughly 5.7 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Jesse
What does the name Jesse mean?
Jesse means “Gift, God exists” from Hebrew roots.
What is the origin of the name Jesse?
Jesse has Hebrew origin. The traditional meaning is “Gift, God exists”.
How popular is Jesse?
Jesse ranked #184 in 2025 — given to 2,002 babies that year.
When was Jesse most popular?
Jesse peaked in 1981 with 10,444 babies registered that year.
Is Jesse a boy or girl name?
Jesse is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Jesses in registered births are male.
Is the name Jesse rising or falling in popularity?
Jesse has risen 2444 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #2628 in 2020 to #184 in 2025.
How long has Jesse been recorded?
Jesse appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.