"great warrior, one who cuts down"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Gideon
Pronunciation: [ g-IHD-ee-uhn ]
Does Gideon flow with your last name?
A mighty biblical warrior who triumphed with just 300
English
Hebrew
Jewish
Protestant
Strong
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Classic
Bold
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Meaning & Origin
"feller of trees, hewer"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Gideon
Gideon derives from the Hebrew 'Gidʿon' meaning 'one who cuts down' or 'feller of trees,' from the root 'gada' (to cut down, to hew). In the Bible, Gideon was an Israelite judge and military leader who, with only 300 carefully selected warriors, defeated a Midianite army of 135,000 through clever tactics and divine guidance (Judges 6-8). God told him to reduce his army from 32,000 to 300 precisely to show that the victory was divine — not military.
Gideon has seen steady rise in the US since the 2000s as parents rediscover strong, unusual biblical names. The broader trend toward Old Testament names like Ezra, Elijah, Silas, and Phineas has carried Gideon along with it. The name strikes a balance between familiar enough to be approachable and rare enough to be distinctive.
Gideon's 300-man victory became a symbol of faith over overwhelming odds. The Gideons International (founded 1899) has placed over 2 billion Bibles in hotels and hospitals worldwide. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) is a landmark US Supreme Court case that guaranteed every person the right to legal counsel.
Historical Record
Gideon first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 20,465 babies have been named Gideon in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Gideon is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #332 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) established the constitutional right to a public defender — transforming American criminal justice
- Gideon's 300 warriors defeated 135,000 Midianites using only torches, clay jars, and trumpets — no swords needed
Gideon in Other Languages
Greek
Γεδεών
French
Gédéon
German
Gideon
Hebrew
גִּדְעוֹן
Spanish
Gedeón
Popularity Over Time
#332
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Gideon
C
Clarence Earl Gideon
Other
1910
Florida drifter whose Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) guaranteed public defenders for all Americans charg...
Florida drifter whose Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) guaranteed public defenders for all Americans charged with serious crimes
G
Gideon (Biblical Judge)
Military
Israelite judge who led 300 men to defeat the Midianites through divine strategy, as recorded in Judges 6-8
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Compare Gideon with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #332
- Total SSA Count
- 1,042
- Cultural Origins
- English Hebrew Jewish Protestant
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Gid
Giddy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Gideon
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Gideon is also used as a girl name, ranked #12502.
View Gideon as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gideon
What does the name Gideon mean?
"great warrior, one who cuts down" (from Hebrew). "feller of trees, hewer" (from Hebrew). Gideon derives from the Hebrew 'Gidʿon' meaning 'one who cuts down' or 'feller of trees,' from the root 'gada' (to cut down, to hew). In the Bible, Gideon was an Israelite judge and military leader who, with only 300 carefully selected warriors, defeated a Midianite army of 135,000 through clever tactics and divine guidance (Judges 6-8). God told him to reduce his army from 32,000 to 300 precisely to show that the victory was divine — not military.
What is the origin of the name Gideon?
Gideon has Hebrew, English, Jewish, and Protestant origins. In Hebrew, it means "great warrior, one who cuts down". In Hebrew, it means "feller of trees, hewer".
Is Gideon a boy or girl name?
Gideon is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #332. As a girl name, it is ranked #12502. Gideon is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Gideon?
Gideon is pronounced g-IHD-ee-uhn.
How popular is the name Gideon?
Gideon is currently ranked #332 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Gideon?
Common nicknames for Gideon include Gid and Giddy.
What are good middle names for Gideon?
Popular middle name pairings include Gideon James, Gideon Paul, Gideon Alexander, Gideon Thomas, and Gideon Luke.
What are good sibling names for Gideon?
Names that pair well with Gideon as siblings include Elijah, Ezra, Tobias, Phineas, Miriam, and Naomi.
How many syllables does Gideon have?
Gideon has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Gideon a common or rare name?
Gideon is a popular name, ranked #332 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Gideon
Gideon is a boy name with English, Hebrew, Jewish, and Protestant origins . The name means "great warrior, one who cuts down" in Hebrew .
Is Gideon a boy or girl name? Gideon is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #332 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #12,502. Gideon is more commonly used as a boy name.
Gideon is currently ranked #332 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Gideon has 3 syllables and is pronounced g-IHD-ee-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Gideon include Gid and Giddy. 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