Jedediah Boy

Popularity: #893 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

JesseJacobJoshuaJeremiahJaredJasmine

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.

JedJediahJosiahJeremiahJebediahJethroJadonJared

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jedediah was first seen in the United States in 1970.

Jedediah has ranked as high as #1219 nationally, which occurred in 1979, and has been most popular in California, Utah, Texas, New York, and Oregon.

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.

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 Total Births Boy
2025 45 45
2024 48 48
2023 44 44
2022 51 51
2021 66 66
2020 51 51
2019 45 45
2018 49 49
2017 41 41
2016 64 64
2015 60 60
2014 76 76
2013 69 69
2012 42 42
2011 31 31
2010 41 41
2009 21 21
2008 28 28
2007 27 27
2006 20 20
2005 25 25
2004 24 24
2003 38 38
2002 30 30
2001 26 26
2000 35 35
1999 28 28
1998 36 36
1997 34 34
1996 29 29
1995 39 39
1994 48 48
1993 48 48
1992 48 48
1991 60 60
1990 47 47
1989 56 56
1988 67 67
1987 65 65
1986 76 76
1985 96 96
1984 96 96
1983 128 128
1982 116 116
1981 142 142
1980 206 206
1979 248 248
1978 193 193
1977 124 124
1976 56 56
1975 27 27
1974 26 26
1973 31 31
1972 15 15
1971 7 7
1970 9 9

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 8
50%
TX 8
50%