"gift of God, Yahweh has bestowed"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Zebedee
Does Zebedee flow with your last name?
A rare biblical name meaning gift of God
English
Hebrew
Christian
Vintage
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Spiritual
Whimsical
Bold
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"my gift"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Aramaic
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with the spring-loaded jack-in-the-box character Zebedee from UK children's TV show The Magic Roundabout (1965-1977)
The Story of Zebedee
Zebedee is the English form of the Hebrew Zebadiah or Zebadyah, composed of zebad meaning gift and Yah, a short form of Yahweh. The name means gift of God or Yahweh has bestowed. In the New Testament, Zebedee was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee and father of the apostles James and John, two of Jesus' closest disciples. His sons were nicknamed the Sons of Thunder.
Zebedee has been rare as a given name throughout English-speaking history, retaining a distinctly biblical and archaic quality. It gained some British pop-culture recognition from Zebedee, the spring-mounted character in The Magic Roundabout (1965-1977). The name appeals today to parents seeking maximally unusual biblical names.
In the New Testament, Zebedee's sons James and John were among the inner circle of Jesus' twelve apostles. Being father to two apostles gives Zebedee a place of honor in Christian tradition. In British culture, Zebedee from The Magic Roundabout became a beloved children's TV character.
Historical Record
Zebedee first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 835 babies have been named Zebedee in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Zebedee is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,226 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Zebedee was the father of apostles James and John, who Jesus nicknamed 'Sons of Thunder'
- Zebedee from The Magic Roundabout was known for his catchphrase 'Time for bed!' and bouncing on a spring
- The name means gift of God in Hebrew, from zebad (gift) and Yah (God)
Zebedee in Other Languages
Greek
Ζεβεδαῖος
Latin
Zebedaeus
French
Zébédée
Hebrew
זְבַדְיָה
Spanish
Zebedeo
Popularity Over Time
#3,226
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Zebedee
Z
Zebedee Fictional
Entertainer
The beloved spring-mounted character from the BBC children's TV series The Magic Roundabout (1965-1977)
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Compare Zebedee with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,226
- Total SSA Count
- 37
- Cultural Origins
- English Hebrew Christian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Zeb
Zee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Zebedee
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Zebedee
What does the name Zebedee mean?
"gift of God, Yahweh has bestowed" (from Hebrew). "my gift" (from Hebrew). Zebedee is the English form of the Hebrew Zebadiah or Zebadyah, composed of zebad meaning gift and Yah, a short form of Yahweh. The name means gift of God or Yahweh has bestowed. In the New Testament, Zebedee was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee and father of the apostles James and John, two of Jesus' closest disciples. His sons were nicknamed the Sons of Thunder.
What is the origin of the name Zebedee?
Zebedee has Hebrew, English, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "gift of God, Yahweh has bestowed". In Hebrew, it means "my gift".
Is Zebedee a boy or girl name?
Zebedee is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Zebedee?
Zebedee is currently ranked #3226 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Zebedee?
Common nicknames for Zebedee include Zeb and Zee.
What are good middle names for Zebedee?
Popular middle name pairings include Zebedee James, Zebedee John, Zebedee Luke, Zebedee Eli, Zebedee Thomas, Zebedee Noah, and Zebedee Silas.
What are good sibling names for Zebedee?
Names that pair well with Zebedee as siblings include Bartholomew, Thaddeus, Matthias, Salome, Miriam, Kezia, and Ezra.
How many syllables does Zebedee have?
Zebedee has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Zebedee a common or rare name?
Zebedee is an uncommon name, ranked #3226 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Zebedee
Zebedee is a boy name with English, Hebrew, and Christian origins . The name means "gift of God, Yahweh has bestowed" in Hebrew .
Zebedee is currently ranked #3,226 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Zebedee has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Zebedee include Zeb and Zee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis