Zebediah Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: zeh-BID-ee-uh /zəˈbɛdiə/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Hebrew: 'God has made'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Zebediah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name "Zevadiah" (זְבַדְיָה), which translates to "God has given" or "gift of God." This name is composed of two elements: "zavad," meaning "to give," and "Yah," a shortened form of the Tetragrammaton, the biblical name for God. The name entered the English language through the Greek transliteration "Zebediah" (Ζεβεδαίας) found in the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, and subsequently through Latin texts, where it was rendered as "Zebediah" before being adopted into Old French and finally into Middle English.
Historically, Zebediah appears in the Hebrew Bible as the father of the prophet Jeremiah, and it is also associated with various figures in the biblical narrative, including a member of the tribe of Judah. The name is mentioned in the context of significant events and genealogies, particularly in the Old Testament, which has been influential in shaping Judeo-Christian traditions.
The King James Bible, published in the early 17th century, further solidified the name's presence in English-speaking cultures, as it included references to Zebediah in its translations. Culturally, the name Zebediah carries connotations of divine favor and blessing, reflecting its meaning related to God's gifts.
It has been used in various religious contexts, symbolizing faith and gratitude. The name has also inspired several diminutive forms, such as Zeb or Zed, which have been used in different cultural contexts.
Overall, Zebediah embodies a rich historical and linguistic heritage that connects it to themes of divine providence and familial legacy.
Famous people named Zebediah
In this section, you will find notable people named Zebediah. 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 Zebediah who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Zebediah 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.
Zebediah Smith is a historical figure best known for being a mountain man and explorer in the American West.
Fictional characters named Zebediah
The following list of fictional characters named Zebediah 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.
Zebediah is a fictional character from the TV series The Walking Dead. He is a member of the Hilltop Colony and serves as a leader in the community during the zombie apocalypse.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zebediah, 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 Zebediah. 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 Zebediah was first seen in the United States in 1978.
Zebediah has ranked as high as #8976 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Zebediah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Zebediah 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 Zebediah 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 Zebediah.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18 | 18 |
| 2024 | 17 | 17 |
| 2023 | 16 | 16 |
| 2022 | 12 | 12 |
| 2021 | 13 | 13 |
| 2020 | 14 | 14 |
| 2019 | 17 | 17 |
| 2018 | 14 | 14 |
| 2017 | 18 | 18 |
| 2016 | 21 | 21 |
| 2015 | 12 | 12 |
| 2014 | 18 | 18 |
| 2013 | 19 | 19 |
| 2012 | 14 | 14 |
| 2011 | 16 | 16 |
| 2010 | 11 | 11 |
| 2009 | 23 | 23 |
| 2008 | 21 | 21 |
| 2007 | 26 | 26 |
| 2006 | 16 | 16 |
| 2005 | 10 | 10 |
| 2004 | 18 | 18 |
| 2003 | 14 | 14 |
| 2002 | 15 | 15 |
| 2001 | 11 | 11 |
| 2000 | 18 | 18 |
| 1999 | 22 | 22 |
| 1998 | 24 | 24 |
| 1997 | 13 | 13 |
| 1996 | 12 | 12 |
| 1995 | 7 | 7 |
| 1994 | 9 | 9 |
| 1993 | 7 | 7 |
| 1992 | 8 | 8 |
| 1991 | 10 | 10 |
| 1989 | 7 | 7 |
| 1988 | 10 | 10 |
| 1987 | 6 | 6 |
| 1985 | 6 | 6 |
| 1984 | 6 | 6 |
| 1983 | 5 | 5 |
| 1982 | 9 | 9 |
| 1981 | 7 | 7 |
| 1980 | 7 | 7 |
| 1979 | 16 | 16 |
| 1978 | 9 | 9 |
Top States for Zebediah
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.
No state data available for this year.