Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jesse
BoyHebrew· “uncertain; often said to mean gift”
- Meaning
- uncertain; often said to mean gift (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JEH-see
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #184
- US babies 2025
- 2,002
- Best rank
- #26 (1882)
- Peak year
- 1981
Meaning and origin of Jesse
Jesse is often said to mean “uncertain; often said to mean gift”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Hebrew roots.
Jesse comes from the Hebrew Yishai, a name whose meaning is uncertain; it is often interpreted as "gift" or "God exists", but neither reading is settled. In the Bible, Jesse of Bethlehem is the father of King David, and the image of the Tree of Jesse, showing the ancestry of Christ, was a common subject in medieval art and stained glass. The name was used by English Puritans and became established in the United States, where the Olympic champion Jesse Owens is a famous bearer. Jesse is warm, unpretentious and easy to say. It is used mostly for boys, while Jessie is more common for girls.
Other spellings with the same sound: Jessie, Jessy, Jessee, Jessye.
Famous parents who chose Jesse: Gordon Ramsay and Tana Ramsay (2023). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Jesse has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #26 in 1882, and the most babies received it in 1981, when 10,443 were named Jesse. In 2025, 2,002 babies were named Jesse, and it ranked #184 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #79 in 1920, #114 in 1950, #45 in 1980, #90 in 2000, #124 in 2010, and #184 in 2025. Of the 432,428 US boys named Jesse since records began, 20% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 73,791 babies. Since 2010, 36,503 more have been named Jesse.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Bradley, Erik, and Derrick.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jesse ranked highest in Montana, Wyoming, and New Mexico.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | #64 | 17 |
| Wyoming | #107 | 5 |
| New Mexico | #109 | 18 |
| Hawaii | #132 | 8 |
| Rhode Island | #133 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 97% of US babies named Jesse over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Jesse is usually pronounced JEH-see, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with J and ends in “-se”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Jessie, Jessy, Jessee, and Jessye.
Middle names for Jesse
A few middle names that flow with Jesse: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jesse
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Lists that include Jesse
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jesse mean?
Jesse is often said to mean “uncertain; often said to mean gift”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Hebrew roots.
What is the origin of the name Jesse?
Jesse has Hebrew roots. Jesse comes from the Hebrew Yishai, a name whose meaning is uncertain; it is often interpreted as "gift" or "God exists", but neither reading is settled.
Is Jesse a popular name?
Yes. Jesse ranked #184 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Jesse a boy or girl name?
Jesse is mainly a boy's name. About 97% of US babies named Jesse over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Jesse?
Jesse is usually pronounced JEH-see. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings