Zebedee

Boy Name #3,226 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

A rare biblical name meaning gift of God

English Hebrew Christian

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Meaning & Origin

"gift of God, Yahweh has bestowed"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"my gift"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Aramaic

Things to Know About This Name

Associated with the spring-loaded jack-in-the-box character Zebedee from UK children's TV show The Magic Roundabout (1965-1977)

The Story of Zebedee

Zebedee is the English form of the Hebrew Zebadiah or Zebadyah, composed of zebad meaning gift and Yah, a short form of Yahweh. The name means gift of God or Yahweh has bestowed. In the New Testament, Zebedee was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee and father of the apostles James and John, two of Jesus' closest disciples. His sons were nicknamed the Sons of Thunder.

Zebedee has been rare as a given name throughout English-speaking history, retaining a distinctly biblical and archaic quality. It gained some British pop-culture recognition from Zebedee, the spring-mounted character in The Magic Roundabout (1965-1977). The name appeals today to parents seeking maximally unusual biblical names.

In the New Testament, Zebedee's sons James and John were among the inner circle of Jesus' twelve apostles. Being father to two apostles gives Zebedee a place of honor in Christian tradition. In British culture, Zebedee from The Magic Roundabout became a beloved children's TV character.

Fun Facts

Zebedee was the father of apostles James and John, who Jesus nicknamed 'Sons of Thunder'
Zebedee from The Magic Roundabout was known for his catchphrase 'Time for bed!' and bouncing on a spring
The name means gift of God in Hebrew, from zebad (gift) and Yah (God)

Zebedee in Other Languages

Greek Ζεβεδαῖος

Latin Zebedaeus

French Zébédée

Hebrew זְבַדְיָה

Spanish Zebedeo

Famous People Named Zebedee

Zebedee Fictional

Entertainer

The beloved spring-mounted character from the BBC children's TV series The Magic Roundabout (1965-1977)

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #3,226
Total SSA Count: 37
Cultural Origins: English Hebrew Christian
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Low

Common Nicknames

Zeb Zee

Pairs Well With

Zebedee James Zebedee John Zebedee Luke Zebedee Eli Zebedee Thomas Zebedee Noah Zebedee Silas

Sibling Names

Bartholomew Thaddeus Matthias Salome Miriam Kezia Ezra

Similar Names

Theodore Mathew Jeremiah Ezekiel Obadiah Zacarias Jedediah Zechariah

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Zebedee

What does the name Zebedee mean?

"gift of God, Yahweh has bestowed" (from Hebrew). "my gift" (from Hebrew). Zebedee is the English form of the Hebrew Zebadiah or Zebadyah, composed of zebad meaning gift and Yah, a short form of Yahweh. The name means gift of God or Yahweh has bestowed. In the New Testament, Zebedee was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee and father of the apostles James and John, two of Jesus' closest disciples. His sons were nicknamed the Sons of Thunder.

What is the origin of the name Zebedee?

Zebedee has Hebrew, English, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "gift of God, Yahweh has bestowed". In Hebrew, it means "my gift".

Is Zebedee a boy or girl name?

Zebedee is primarily used as a boy name.

How popular is the name Zebedee?

Zebedee is currently ranked #3226 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Zebedee?

Common nicknames for Zebedee include Zeb and Zee.

What are good middle names for Zebedee?

Popular middle name pairings include Zebedee James, Zebedee John, Zebedee Luke, Zebedee Eli, Zebedee Thomas, Zebedee Noah, and Zebedee Silas.

What are good sibling names for Zebedee?

Names that pair well with Zebedee as siblings include Bartholomew, Thaddeus, Matthias, Salome, Miriam, Kezia, and Ezra.

How many syllables does Zebedee have?

Zebedee has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Zebedee a common or rare name?

Zebedee is an uncommon name, ranked #3226 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Zebedee

Zebedee is a boy name with English, Hebrew, and Christian origins . The name means "gift of God, Yahweh has bestowed" in Hebrew .

Zebedee is currently ranked #3,226 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Zebedee has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Zebedee include Zeb and Zee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.