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Jabez

Boy Name #6,105 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The biblical prayer warrior who rose above his name

Christian American English Hebrew
Classic Spiritual Traditional Literary Vintage

Meaning & Origin

"he causes pain, born in sorrow"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
"God grants blessing to the sorrowful"
Origin: Hebrew (contextual/theological)
Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

  • The literal meaning (born in sorrow, causes pain) may give some parents pause

The Story of Jabez

Jabez is an ancient Hebrew name meaning he causes pain or born in sorrow, derived from the root atzab meaning to pain or grieve. In the Bible (1 Chronicles 4:9-10), Jabez is notable not for his sorrowful name but for his prayer asking God for blessing and enlarged territory — a prayer God granted. This redemptive story transformed the names meaning in Christian consciousness.

Jabez experienced a significant revival in the early 2000s following the publication of The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson (2000), which became one of the bestselling Christian books of all time with over 9 million copies sold. The book reframed Jabez as a model of bold, faithful prayer.

In evangelical Christian communities, Jabez became a symbol of overcoming a difficult start in life through faith. The Prayer of Jabez phenomenon made the name widely recognized in Protestant Christianity worldwide.

Fun Facts

  • The Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10) is only 2 verses but spawned a mega-bestselling book series in the early 2000s
  • Despite meaning born in sorrow, Jabez is the only person in 1 Chronicles specifically noted for being more honorable than his brothers

Jabez in Other Languages

Greek Ἰαβής (Iabis)
Latin Jabes
Hebrew יַעְבֵּץ (Yaavets)
Spanish Jabés

Popularity Over Time

#6,105
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2002 Based on SSA data 1880–present

Famous People Named Jabez

J

Jabez Curry

Politician

1825

American politician, educator, and diplomat from Alabama, served in both the US Congress and Confederate Congress

J

Jabez (biblical figure)

Religious

Hebrew figure in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, known for his prayer asking God for blessing and expanded territory

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#6,105
Total SSA Count
15
Cultural Origins
Christian American English Hebrew
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Common Nicknames

Jabe

Middle Name Ideas

Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style

Sibling Names

Elijah Ezra Josiah Abigail Miriam

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Similar Names

Ace Jae Jade Jaymes Jasen Jayce Jase Jasn

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Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Jabez

What does the name Jabez mean?
"he causes pain, born in sorrow" (from Hebrew). "God grants blessing to the sorrowful" (from Hebrew (contextual/theological)). Jabez is an ancient Hebrew name meaning he causes pain or born in sorrow, derived from the root atzab meaning to pain or grieve. In the Bible (1 Chronicles 4:9-10), Jabez is notable not for his sorrowful name but for his prayer asking God for blessing and enlarged territory — a prayer God granted. This redemptive story transformed the names meaning in Christian consciousness.
What is the origin of the name Jabez?
Jabez has Hebrew, Hebrew (contextual/theological), Christian, American, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "he causes pain, born in sorrow". In Hebrew (contextual/theological), it means "God grants blessing to the sorrowful".
Is Jabez a boy or girl name?
Jabez is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Jabez?
Jabez is currently ranked #6105 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jabez?
Common nicknames for Jabez include Jabe.
What are good middle names for Jabez?
Popular middle name pairings include Jabez Michael, Jabez Thomas, Jabez David, Jabez Samuel, and Jabez Eli.
What are good sibling names for Jabez?
Names that pair well with Jabez as siblings include Elijah, Ezra, Josiah, Abigail, and Miriam.
How many syllables does Jabez have?
Jabez has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jabez a common or rare name?
Jabez is an uncommon name, ranked #6105 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Jabez

Jabez is a boy name with Christian, American, English, and Hebrew origins . The name means "he causes pain, born in sorrow" in Hebrew .

Jabez is currently ranked #6,105 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Jabez has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Jabez include Jabe. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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