Gideon

Pronunciation: [ g-IHD-ee-uhn ]

Boy Name #332 Most Popular Rising 3 Syllables

A mighty biblical warrior who triumphed with just 300

English Hebrew Jewish Protestant

Strong Biblical Classic Bold Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"great warrior, one who cuts down"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

"feller of trees, hewer"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

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.

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

Famous People Named Gideon

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

Gideon (Biblical Judge)

Military

Israelite judge who led 300 men to defeat the Midianites through divine strategy, as recorded in Judges 6-8

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

Pairs Well With

Gideon James Gideon Paul Gideon Alexander Gideon Thomas Gideon Luke

Sibling Names

Elijah Ezra Tobias Phineas Miriam Naomi

Also a Girl Name

Gideon is also used as a girl name, ranked #12502.

View Gideon as a girl name →

Playground Safety

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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.