Jesse Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationJES-ee / /ˈdʒɛsi/Hebrew; English
Meaning
Hebrew: 'God is my salvation'; English: diminutive of Jesse
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jesse has its roots in the Hebrew name יִשַׁי (Yishai), which is derived from the Hebrew word "yishai," meaning "gift" or "God's gift." This name appears in the Old Testament of the Bible, where Jesse is notably recognized as the father of King David, a significant figure in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. The name was transliterated into Greek as Ἰεσσαί (Iessai) in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and later into Latin as Iessus, which eventually influenced its adoption into Old French as Jessé before entering the English language in the medieval period.
Historically, Jesse's prominence is anchored in biblical narratives, particularly in the context of the lineage of David, which is crucial to the genealogies presented in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The name is also referenced in the prophetic writings of Isaiah, where it is used to symbolize the root of Jesse, a metaphor for the coming of the Messiah. This biblical significance has contributed to the name's endurance through centuries, as it has been borne by various saints and figures in Christian history.
Culturally, Jesse has been associated with themes of leadership, divine favor, and familial legacy, reflecting the importance of lineage in biblical texts. The name has also been embraced in various artistic and literary works, reinforcing its resonance in Western culture. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Jess or Jessie have emerged, often used affectionately or informally, although the name Jesse itself remains the most recognized form. Overall, the historical and cultural significance of Jesse underscores its lasting impact across different eras and traditions.
Trend Summary
Jesse has experienced fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the 1990s.
Similar Names
Variants
- Jess
- Jessey
International Variants
- Jesse (Dutch)
- Jesse (Spanish)
- Jesse (French)
Famous people named Jesse
Jesse Owens is an athlete best known for winning four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Jesse Jackson is a civil rights activist best known for founding the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and running for U.S. President.
Jesse Metcalfe is an actor best known for Desperate Housewives, John Tucker Must Die, and Chesapeake Shores.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson is an actor best known for Modern Family, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Uncoupled.
Jesse L. Martin is an actor best known for Law & Order, Rent, and The Flash.
Jesse Plemons is an actor best known for Friday Night Lights, Fargo, and Breaking Bad.
Jesse McCartney is a singer and actor best known for Beautiful Soul, and his roles in Young Justice and Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Jesse James is a television personality and entrepreneur best known for Monster Garage and West Coast Choppers.
Jesse Ventura is a former professional wrestler and actor best known for Predator and Running Man.
Fictional characters named Jesse
Jesse Pinkman is a fictional character from the TV series Breaking Bad. He is a former student of Walter White who becomes his partner in the methamphetamine business.
Jesse McCartney is a fictional character from the animated series Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal. He is a skilled duelist and a member of the main cast who helps the protagonist in their battles.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jesse was first seen in the United States in 1880. Jesse has ranked as high as #66 nationally, which occurred in 1981, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. In the past 5 years the name Jesse has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Jesse (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 270 | |
TX | 261 | |
NY | 88 | |
FL | 85 | |
OH | 83 | |
PA | 73 | |
NC | 70 | |
GA | 66 | |
WA | 55 | |
IL | 54 | |
UT | 50 | |
AZ | 49 | |
TN | 49 | |
VA | 45 | |
MO | 44 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 569 |
1881 | 536 |
1882 | 660 |
1883 | 584 |
1884 | 670 |
1885 | 556 |
1886 | 614 |
1887 | 601 |
1888 | 637 |
1889 | 576 |
1890 | 576 |
1891 | 519 |
1892 | 602 |
1893 | 541 |
1894 | 567 |
1895 | 577 |
1896 | 586 |
1897 | 529 |
1898 | 476 |
1899 | 423 |
1900 | 536 |
1901 | 411 |
1902 | 437 |
1903 | 388 |
1904 | 443 |
1905 | 443 |
1906 | 436 |
1907 | 466 |
1908 | 482 |
1909 | 517 |
1910 | 590 |
1911 | 596 |
1912 | 1,106 |
1913 | 1,214 |
1914 | 1,457 |
1915 | 2,111 |
1916 | 2,230 |
1917 | 2,200 |
1918 | 2,433 |
1919 | 2,356 |
1920 | 2,420 |
1921 | 2,486 |
1922 | 2,395 |
1923 | 2,387 |
1924 | 2,292 |
1925 | 2,373 |
1926 | 2,298 |
1927 | 2,318 |
1928 | 2,171 |
1929 | 2,030 |
1930 | 2,035 |
1931 | 1,895 |
1932 | 1,863 |
1933 | 1,804 |
1934 | 1,853 |
1935 | 1,866 |
1936 | 1,827 |
1937 | 1,864 |
1938 | 1,912 |
1939 | 2,010 |
1940 | 2,205 |
1941 | 2,184 |
1942 | 2,397 |
1943 | 2,425 |
1944 | 2,311 |
1945 | 2,187 |
1946 | 2,467 |
1947 | 2,751 |
1948 | 2,705 |
1949 | 2,704 |
1950 | 2,607 |
1951 | 2,670 |
1952 | 2,721 |
1953 | 2,818 |
1954 | 2,760 |
1955 | 2,786 |
1956 | 2,626 |
1957 | 2,737 |
1958 | 2,489 |
1959 | 2,440 |
1960 | 2,375 |
1961 | 2,305 |
1962 | 2,273 |
1963 | 2,229 |
1964 | 2,185 |
1965 | 2,212 |
1966 | 2,316 |
1967 | 2,186 |
1968 | 2,146 |
1969 | 2,378 |
1970 | 2,768 |
1971 | 3,003 |
1972 | 3,226 |
1973 | 3,442 |
1974 | 4,106 |
1975 | 4,436 |
1976 | 5,301 |
1977 | 5,823 |
1978 | 6,107 |
1979 | 6,680 |
1980 | 8,376 |
1981 | 10,444 |
1982 | 9,504 |
1983 | 8,469 |
1984 | 7,609 |
1985 | 8,222 |
1986 | 8,542 |
1987 | 7,982 |
1988 | 7,912 |
1989 | 8,855 |
1990 | 8,977 |
1991 | 8,368 |
1992 | 8,562 |
1993 | 8,263 |
1994 | 8,682 |
1995 | 7,495 |
1996 | 7,075 |
1997 | 5,920 |
1998 | 5,444 |
1999 | 5,004 |
2000 | 4,485 |
2001 | 4,222 |
2002 | 4,431 |
2003 | 4,606 |
2004 | 4,760 |
2005 | 4,746 |
2006 | 4,370 |
2007 | 4,130 |
2008 | 3,954 |
2009 | 3,685 |
2010 | 3,278 |
2011 | 2,973 |
2012 | 2,711 |
2013 | 2,569 |
2014 | 2,469 |
2015 | 2,357 |
2016 | 2,309 |
2017 | 2,105 |
2018 | 2,144 |
2019 | 1,978 |
2020 | 1,885 |
2021 | 1,905 |
2022 | 1,975 |
2023 | 1,823 |
2024 | 1,980 |