Jedediah Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: jeh-deh-DIE-uh //ˌdʒɛdəˈdaɪə//
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Beloved of the Lord
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jedediah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the elements "yad" meaning "hand" and "dā'â" meaning "to know," which together can be interpreted as "beloved of the Lord." The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in 2 Samuel 12:25, where it is associated with the son of King David and Bathsheba, who was given the name by the prophet Nathan. The name was transliterated into Greek as "Iededia" and later into Latin as "Jedediah," before making its way into Old French and subsequently into English during the medieval period.
Historically, Jedediah is significant due to its biblical connections, particularly through the lineage of King David, which has been a focal point in Jewish and Christian traditions. The name's usage can be traced back to the early centuries of the Common Era, with its biblical roots providing a strong foundation for its endurance in religious contexts.
The name also appears in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version published in 1611, which helped to solidify its presence in English-speaking cultures. Culturally, Jedediah carries connotations of divine favor and love, reflecting its meaning and historical significance.
The name has been embraced in various literary and artistic works, often symbolizing loyalty and devotion. In addition, diminutive forms such as Jed have emerged, showcasing the name's adaptability while retaining its original essence.
Overall, Jedediah remains a name steeped in rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its ancient origins and biblical associations.
Famous people named Jedediah
In this section, you will find notable people named Jedediah. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Jedediah who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Jedediah who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Jedediah Smith is an explorer best known for his expeditions in the American West, mapping the Oregon Trail, and his role in the fur trade.
Fictional characters named Jedediah
The following list of fictional characters named Jedediah is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Jedediah is a fictional character from the film Night at the Museum. He is a cowboy who comes to life at the museum and becomes one of the main allies of the protagonist, Larry Daley.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jedediah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Jedediah. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jedediah was first seen in the United States in 1970.
Jedediah has ranked as high as #879 nationally, which occurred in 1979, and has been most popular in California, Utah, New York, Oregon, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Jedediah has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Jedediah is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Jedediah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Jedediah (2023)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 8 | |
| TX | 8 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Jedediah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 48 |
| 2023 | 44 |
| 2022 | 51 |
| 2021 | 66 |
| 2020 | 51 |
| 2019 | 45 |
| 2018 | 49 |
| 2017 | 41 |
| 2016 | 64 |
| 2015 | 60 |
| 2014 | 76 |
| 2013 | 69 |
| 2012 | 42 |
| 2011 | 31 |
| 2010 | 41 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2008 | 28 |
| 2007 | 27 |
| 2006 | 20 |
| 2005 | 25 |
| 2004 | 24 |
| 2003 | 38 |
| 2002 | 30 |
| 2001 | 26 |
| 2000 | 35 |
| 1999 | 28 |
| 1998 | 36 |
| 1997 | 34 |
| 1996 | 29 |
| 1995 | 39 |
| 1994 | 48 |
| 1993 | 48 |
| 1992 | 48 |
| 1991 | 60 |
| 1990 | 47 |
| 1989 | 56 |
| 1988 | 67 |
| 1987 | 65 |
| 1986 | 76 |
| 1985 | 96 |
| 1984 | 96 |
| 1983 | 128 |
| 1982 | 116 |
| 1981 | 142 |
| 1980 | 206 |
| 1979 | 248 |
| 1978 | 193 |
| 1977 | 124 |
| 1976 | 56 |
| 1975 | 27 |
| 1974 | 26 |
| 1973 | 31 |
| 1972 | 15 |
| 1971 | 7 |
| 1970 | 9 |