Jedidiah Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: jeh-DIH-ah //dʒɛˈdɪə//
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Beloved of the Lord
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jedidiah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the elements "yad" meaning "beloved" and "Yah," a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. The earliest form of the name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in 2 Samuel 12:25, where it is given to Solomon by the prophet Nathan as a sign of divine favor.
The name is transliterated into Greek as 'Iedidias' and later into Latin as 'Jedidias,' before making its way into Old French and eventually into English as Jedidiah. Historically, the name Jedidiah is significant due to its biblical connections, particularly to King Solomon, who is a central figure in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
Solomon is often associated with wisdom and wealth, and the name Jedidiah symbolizes a beloved status in the eyes of God. The use of the name in religious texts has contributed to its enduring presence in various cultures, particularly among those with Judeo-Christian heritage.
The name is also mentioned in the context of the Davidic lineage, which has been a focal point in the history of Israel. Culturally, Jedidiah carries connotations of divine affection and favor, reflecting the importance of familial and spiritual bonds in biblical narratives.
The name has been embraced in various forms, with diminutives such as Jed being used informally. Its historical resonance is further enhanced by its use in religious ceremonies and literature, where it often symbolizes hope and divine blessing.
The name's association with a revered biblical figure has ensured its place in the lexicon of names with significant cultural and spiritual weight.
Famous people named Jedidiah
In this section, you will find notable people named Jedidiah. 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 Jedidiah who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Jedidiah 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.
Jedidiah Smith is an explorer best known for his expeditions in the American West and his role in the early exploration of California.
Fictional characters named Jedidiah
The following list of fictional characters named Jedidiah 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.
Jedidiah is a fictional character from the TV series The Walking Dead. He is a member of the Hilltop Colony who plays a significant role in the community's survival during the zombie apocalypse.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jedidiah, 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 Jedidiah. 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 Jedidiah was first seen in the United States in 1971.
Jedidiah has ranked as high as #1024 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Jedidiah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Jedidiah 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 Jedidiah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Jedidiah (2024)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 43 | |
| CA | 40 | |
| VA | 15 | |
| GA | 14 | |
| FL | 13 | |
| PA | 12 | |
| NC | 12 | |
| IN | 10 | |
| TN | 9 | |
| AZ | 9 | |
| WA | 9 | |
| OH | 8 | |
| OR | 8 | |
| OK | 7 | |
| HI | 7 |
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 Jedidiah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 310 |
| 2023 | 266 |
| 2022 | 313 |
| 2021 | 303 |
| 2020 | 344 |
| 2019 | 335 |
| 2018 | 348 |
| 2017 | 362 |
| 2016 | 327 |
| 2015 | 343 |
| 2014 | 300 |
| 2013 | 245 |
| 2012 | 238 |
| 2011 | 238 |
| 2010 | 241 |
| 2009 | 194 |
| 2008 | 166 |
| 2007 | 169 |
| 2006 | 158 |
| 2005 | 156 |
| 2004 | 128 |
| 2003 | 148 |
| 2002 | 104 |
| 2001 | 120 |
| 2000 | 121 |
| 1999 | 107 |
| 1998 | 114 |
| 1997 | 114 |
| 1996 | 115 |
| 1995 | 110 |
| 1994 | 119 |
| 1993 | 125 |
| 1992 | 117 |
| 1991 | 115 |
| 1990 | 116 |
| 1989 | 120 |
| 1988 | 138 |
| 1987 | 145 |
| 1986 | 122 |
| 1985 | 127 |
| 1984 | 111 |
| 1983 | 131 |
| 1982 | 148 |
| 1981 | 172 |
| 1980 | 185 |
| 1979 | 187 |
| 1978 | 143 |
| 1977 | 88 |
| 1976 | 26 |
| 1975 | 25 |
| 1974 | 17 |
| 1973 | 8 |
| 1972 | 8 |
| 1971 | 5 |