Jesse

Pronunciation: [ j-EHS-ee ]

Girl Name #2,461 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A biblical gift that works beautifully for girls

American English Jewish

Classic Strong Earthy Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"wealthy"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

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.

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

Famous People Named Jesse

Jesse J (Jessica Ellen Cornish)

Musician

1988

British singer known as Jessie J, famous for Price Tag and Domino

Jesse Owens

Athlete

1913

American track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics

Jesse Spano Fictional

Other

Ambitious and outspoken character in the TV series Saved by the Bell, played by Elizabeth Berkley

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

Jessica #574 Jessie #807 Jessa #2040 Jesslyn #3177 Jessi #3275 Jessy #4329

Common Nicknames

Jess

Pairs Well With

Jesse Mae Jesse Rose Jesse Ann Jesse Lynn Jesse Jo Jesse Grace

Sibling Names

Jamie Riley Skyler Morgan Casey Jordan

Also a Boy Name

Jesse is also used as a boy name, ranked #187.

View Jesse as a boy name →

Similar Names

Josie Rosie Sophie Essie Jessica Jesse Josefina Ozzie

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.

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.