Jesse: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: je-hsse-h
Origin: Netherlands
gender-male

Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Apr 14, 2025 · 2 mins read
Region Origin: Europe
Meaning: God's gift

The name Jesse has its origins in Hebrew, English, and Dutch, and it is primarily a boy's name, although it could also be another spelling of the female name Jessie. The meaning of Jesse varies, with some interpretations being "God's gift," "the Lord exists," or "king". In the Bible, Jesse is the shepherd father of King David, making it a name with both historical and biblical significance. The name Jesse has a long history, but it did not become popular until the late 1800s. Its popularity fluctuated throughout the twentieth century and spiked in the 1980s, making it the 49th most popular boy's name during that time. Today, Jesse remains a popular name, ranking as the 165th most popular boy's name throughout the 2010s. While Jesse is primarily associated with the Hebrew meaning "God exists," it is also connected to the Hebrew name "Yishai," which means "gift".

Jesse Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Jesse is currently #196 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Boy: Jesse is currently #196 on Kiindred Boy Names
gender-male Overall Nature: Jesse is currently #77 on Kiindred Nature Names
gender-male Boy Nature: Jesse is currently #77 on Kiindred Boy Nature Names
gender-male Overall Unique: Jesse is currently #193 on Kiindred Unique Names
gender-male Boy Unique: Jesse is currently #193 on Kiindred Boy Unique Names

Popularity Trend Chart

Famous People Named Jesse

This section lists notable individuals and public figures named Jesse, showcasing their achievements and contributions in various fields.

  • Jesse Eisenberg: Jesse Eisenberg is an American actor, author, and playwright known for his roles in "The Social Network," "Zombieland," and "Now You See Me."
  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson: Jesse Tyler Ferguson is an American actor known for his role as Mitchell Pritchett on the television series "Modern Family."
  • Jesse Plemons: Jesse Plemons is an American actor known for his roles in "Breaking Bad," "Fargo," and "The Irishman."
  • Jesse Bradford: An actor known for his roles in films like Romeo + Juliet and Bring It On.
  • Jesse Carmichael: A musician and member of the band Maroon 5.
  • Jesse Williams: An actor, director, producer, and model known for his roles in TV shows like Grey's Anatomy and films like The Cabin in the Woods.

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