"wealthy"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Jesse
Pronunciation: [ j-EHS-ee ]
Does Jesse flow with your last name?
A biblical gift that works beautifully for girls
American
English
Jewish
Classic
Strong
Earthy
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Jesse
Jesse derives from the Hebrew name Yishai, which may come from the root 'yesh' meaning there is or from 'ishay' meaning gift. In the Bible, Jesse was the father of King David, making the name significant in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. While traditionally male, Jesse has been used for girls in the US since the early 20th century.
Jesse has been used for both boys and girls in America, but for girls it gained particular traction in the 1980s-1990s partly through the character Jesse in the TV show Full House. The spelling 'Jesse' for girls distinguishes it from 'Jessie.'
In the Old Testament, Jesse is described as the 'root of Jesse' from which the Messiah would spring — a powerful biblical image. For girls, Jesse evokes a tomboyish strength that appeals to parents wanting a name with backbone.
Historical Record
Jesse first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 10,828 babies have been named Jesse in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jesse is past its peak , currently ranked #2,461 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jesse James was the famous American outlaw of the 1870s
- Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
- In Full House, the character Jesse Katsopolis was played by John Stamos — but the name Jesse was also used for girls in the show's cultural context
Jesse in Other Languages
Arabic
يسى
French
Jesse
Hebrew
ישי
Spanish
Jesse
Popularity Over Time
#2,461
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1981
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Jesse with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,461
- Total SSA Count
- 73
- Cultural Origins
- American English Jewish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jess
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
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 Jesse
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Jesse is also used as a boy name, ranked #187.
View Jesse as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Hebrew origin
"lion of God (as short form of Ariel)"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jesse
What does the name Jesse mean?
"wealthy" (from Hebrew). Jesse derives from the Hebrew name Yishai, which may come from the root 'yesh' meaning there is or from 'ishay' meaning gift. In the Bible, Jesse was the father of King David, making the name significant in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. While traditionally male, Jesse has been used for girls in the US since the early 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Jesse?
Jesse has Hebrew, American, English, and Jewish origins. In Hebrew, it means "wealthy".
Is Jesse a boy or girl name?
Jesse is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2461. As a boy name, it is ranked #187. 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 #2461 in popularity for girl 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 Mae, Jesse Rose, Jesse Ann, Jesse Lynn, Jesse Jo, and Jesse Grace.
What are good sibling names for Jesse?
Names that pair well with Jesse as siblings include Jamie, Riley, Skyler, Morgan, Casey, and Jordan.
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 an uncommon name, ranked #2461 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Jesse?
About the Name Jesse
Jesse is a girl name with American, English, and Jewish origins . The name means "wealthy" in Hebrew .
Is Jesse a boy or girl name? Jesse is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,461 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #187. Jesse is more commonly used as a boy name.
Jesse is currently ranked #2,461 in popularity for girl 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 Jessica, Jessie, Jessa, Jesslyn, Jessi . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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