"wealthy"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Jesse
Pronunciation: [ j-EHS-ee ]
Boy Name
#187 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
A solid Hebrew name meaning 'God's gift'
Hebrew
English
Christian
American
Classic
Earthy
Vintage
Strong
Traditional
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Jesse James was a notorious 19th-century outlaw — though the name has moved beyond this association for most people
The Story of Jesse
Jesse comes from the Hebrew 'Yishai,' meaning 'God's gift' or 'wealthy.' In the Hebrew Bible, Jesse was the father of King David — the shepherd from Bethlehem who became Israel's greatest king. The 'Tree of Jesse' became a central motif in medieval Christian art, depicting the lineage from Jesse to Jesus.
Jesse has been a consistent American favorite since the colonial era, associated with frontier heroes and biblical patriarchs alike. It peaked in the 1980s, partly through the visibility of Jesse Jackson, and has remained steady as a quietly strong, unpretentious name.
The Tree of Jesse (depicting Jesse's descendants leading to Jesus) is one of the most common images in medieval Christian art and stained glass. Jesse James, the outlaw, gave the name a Wild West connection, while Jesse Owens gave it athletic glory.
Fun Facts
- The 'Tree of Jesse' is one of the most depicted subjects in medieval Christian art
- Jesse Owens won 4 gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, defying Nazi racial ideology
- Jesse was a top-50 US boy name throughout the 1980s
Jesse in Other Languages
Arabic
يسي
French
Jesse
Hebrew
יִשַׁי
Italian
Jesse
Spanish
Jesse
Famous People Named Jesse
J
Jesse Owens
Athlete
1913
American track and field athlete who won 4 gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
J
Jesse James
Other
1847
American outlaw and folk hero of the Wild West era
J
Jesse Pinkman (character) Fictional
Other
Main character in the TV series Breaking Bad (2008–2013), played by Aaron Paul
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #187
- Total SSA Count
- 1,980
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew English Christian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jess
Pairs Well With
Jesse James
Jesse Lee
Jesse Cole
Jesse Ray
Jesse Wayne
Jesse Alan
Jesse Dean
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Jesse is also used as a girl name, ranked #2461.
View Jesse as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jesse
What does the name Jesse mean?
"wealthy" (from Hebrew). Jesse comes from the Hebrew 'Yishai,' meaning 'God's gift' or 'wealthy.' In the Hebrew Bible, Jesse was the father of King David — the shepherd from Bethlehem who became Israel's greatest king. The 'Tree of Jesse' became a central motif in medieval Christian art, depicting the lineage from Jesse to Jesus.
What is the origin of the name Jesse?
Jesse has Hebrew, English, Christian, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "wealthy".
Is Jesse a boy or girl name?
Jesse is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #187. As a girl name, it is ranked #2461. Jesse is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jesse?
Jesse is pronounced j-EHS-ee.
How popular is the name Jesse?
Jesse is currently ranked #187 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jesse?
Common nicknames for Jesse include Jess.
What are good middle names for Jesse?
Popular middle name pairings include Jesse James, Jesse Lee, Jesse Cole, Jesse Ray, Jesse Wayne, Jesse Alan, and Jesse Dean.
What are good sibling names for Jesse?
Names that pair well with Jesse as siblings include Dylan, Carter, Sadie, Wyatt, Emma, Caleb, and Lily.
How many syllables does Jesse have?
Jesse has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jesse a common or rare name?
Jesse is a popular name, ranked #187 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Jesse
Jesse is a boy name with Hebrew, English, Christian, and American origins . The name means "wealthy" in Hebrew .
Is Jesse a boy or girl name? Jesse is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #187 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,461. Jesse is more commonly used as a boy name.
Jesse is currently ranked #187 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jesse has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-EHS-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Jesse include Jess. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Jesse include Jessie, Jessiah, Jess . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.