Zebedee Boy

Popularity: #919 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZEB-uh-dee /ˈzɛbədi/

Origin: Hebrew; Greek

Meaning: Hebrew: 'gift of God'; Greek: 'son of Zebedee'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Zebedee is derived from the Hebrew name "Zebedai," which means "gift of God." This name appears in the biblical context, specifically in the New Testament, where Zebedee is identified as the father of the apostles James and John. The Hebrew form transitioned into Greek as "Zebedaios" and later into Latin as "Zebedaeus," before being adopted into Old French and subsequently into Middle English as "Zebedee." This linguistic evolution reflects the broader historical and cultural exchanges that occurred through the spread of Christianity and the translation of biblical texts.

Zebedee's significance is notably anchored in the Christian tradition, particularly through the accounts of the apostles in the Gospels. The figure of Zebedee is mentioned in the context of Jesus calling his sons to discipleship, which is a pivotal moment in the New Testament narrative.

The name's biblical roots have contributed to its enduring presence in Christian communities, particularly during the Middle Ages when biblical names gained prominence due to their religious connotations. Culturally, the name Zebedee carries associations of faith and divine favor, resonating with the idea of being a gift from God.

This connection to divine providence has allowed the name to maintain its relevance across generations. Additionally, the diminutive form "Zeb" has been used in various contexts, although it is less historically significant than the full name.

Overall, Zebedee's etymology, historical milestones, and cultural resonance underscore its importance within the biblical narrative and its lasting impact on Christian heritage.

Fictional characters named Zebedee

The following list of fictional characters named Zebedee 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.

Zebedee is a fictional character from the children's television series The Magic Roundabout. He is a magical, spring-like character known for his whimsical personality and ability to bounce around.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zebedee, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ZacharySamuelIsaacElijahNathaniel

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Zebedee. 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.

ZebJedediahAbrahamJosiahMalachiEzraGideonTobiasSilasLevi

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Zebedee was first seen in the United States in 1907.

Zebedee has ranked as high as #6804 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and North Carolina.

In the past 5 years the name Zebedee has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Zebedee 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 Zebedee 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 Zebedee.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 19 19
2024 38 38
2023 34 34
2022 21 21
2021 9 9
2020 14 14
2019 13 13
2018 10 10
2017 8 8
2016 10 10
2015 11 11
2014 8 8
2013 10 10
2012 6 6
2011 7 7
2010 8 8
2009 7 7
2008 8 8
2007 10 10
2006 8 8
2005 7 7
2004 11 11
2002 10 10
2001 11 11
2000 15 15
1999 10 10
1998 7 7
1997 13 13
1996 9 9
1995 8 8
1994 13 13
1993 12 12
1992 5 5
1991 5 5
1990 9 9
1989 16 16
1988 5 5
1987 10 10
1986 10 10
1985 10 10
1984 5 5
1983 8 8
1982 14 14
1981 10 10
1980 9 9
1979 9 9
1978 7 7
1977 11 11
1976 7 7
1975 10 10
1974 6 6
1973 8 8
1972 10 10
1971 10 10
1969 9 9
1968 8 8
1967 5 5
1966 13 13
1965 6 6
1964 10 10
1963 11 11
1962 9 9
1961 17 17
1960 15 15
1959 23 23
1958 13 13
1957 22 22
1956 14 14
1955 19 19
1954 19 19
1953 16 16
1952 11 11
1951 15 15
1950 21 21
1949 10 10
1948 15 15
1947 14 14
1946 9 9
1945 6 6
1944 6 6
1943 9 9
1942 8 8
1941 10 10
1940 7 7
1939 11 11
1938 8 8
1937 12 12
1936 8 8
1935 12 12
1934 20 20
1933 8 8
1932 13 13
1931 7 7
1930 9 9
1929 9 9
1928 17 17
1927 8 8
1926 8 8
1925 10 10
1924 17 17
1923 20 20
1922 11 11
1921 14 14
1920 13 13
1919 18 18
1918 12 12
1917 12 12
1916 8 8
1915 6 6
1914 10 10
1913 8 8
1912 11 11
1907 7 7

Top States for Zebedee (1957)

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
NC 5
100%