Jezebel Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JEZ-uh-bel /ˈdʒɛzəˌbɛl/
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: 'not exalted'; English: 'a woman of the city'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jezebel has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name אִיזֶבֶל (Izevel), which is believed to mean "not exalted" or "where is the prince?" The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the First and Second Books of Kings, where Jezebel is depicted as a Phoenician princess and the wife of King Ahab of Israel. The biblical narrative, which dates back to the 9th century BCE, portrays her as a powerful and controversial figure, known for promoting the worship of Baal and opposing the prophet Elijah, which ultimately led to her downfall and a legacy of infamy.
Throughout history, Jezebel's character has been interpreted in various ways, often symbolizing manipulation, seduction, and idolatry. Her story has been referenced in numerous literary and artistic works, influencing cultural perceptions of women in power.
The term "Jezebel" has evolved into a pejorative descriptor for women perceived as morally corrupt or sexually promiscuous, reflecting the negative connotations associated with her biblical portrayal. This transformation of the name's significance can be traced through various translations of the Bible, including the Septuagint in the 3rd century BCE and the Latin Vulgate in the late 4th century CE, which helped disseminate the story of Jezebel across different cultures.
Culturally, Jezebel's legacy has endured through centuries, often serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of defying societal norms. The name has been used in various contexts, from literature to modern media, to evoke themes of power and moral ambiguity.
While the name itself may not be commonly used in contemporary settings, its historical and cultural resonance remains significant, illustrating the complexities of female representation in religious and historical narratives.
Fictional characters named Jezebel
The following list of fictional characters named Jezebel 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.
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Jezebel is a fictional character from the biblical narrative in the Old Testament. She is known as a queen who promoted the worship of Baal and opposed the prophet Elijah.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jezebel, 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 Jezebel. 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 Jezebel was first seen in the United States in 1980.
Jezebel has ranked as high as #1341 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Jezebel has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Jezebel 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 Jezebel was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Jezebel (2022)
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 | 5 |
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 Jezebel.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2017 | 27 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2014 | 25 |
| 2013 | 23 |
| 2012 | 22 |
| 2011 | 32 |
| 2010 | 36 |
| 2009 | 24 |
| 2008 | 33 |
| 2007 | 47 |
| 2006 | 32 |
| 2005 | 30 |
| 2004 | 24 |
| 2003 | 27 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2001 | 29 |
| 2000 | 23 |
| 1999 | 20 |
| 1998 | 15 |
| 1997 | 16 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 1995 | 16 |
| 1994 | 16 |
| 1993 | 9 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1990 | 6 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1988 | 7 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1984 | 7 |
| 1980 | 5 |