"gift of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Zebediah
Does Zebediah flow with your last name?
A rare biblical gem meaning gift of God
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English
American
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Meaning & Origin
"Yahweh has bestowed"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of Zebediah
Zebediah is a Hebrew name combining Zeved (meaning gift or endowment) with Yah, the shortened form of Yahweh, the Hebrew name for God. Thus the name means gift of God or God has bestowed. It appears in the Old Testament as a name borne by several minor figures and shares its root with the simpler Zebedee, the father of the apostles James and John in the New Testament.
Zebediah never entered the mainstream but has maintained a steady presence among families who favor elaborate biblical names. It experienced a small revival in the early 2000s alongside other vintage biblical names like Elijah and Ezekiel.
Within Jewish and Christian traditions, Zebediah carries the weight of a name that honors divine providence. The abbreviated Zeb gives it a rugged, frontier quality popularized by American Western culture.
Historical Record
Zebediah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1978.
Over 602 babies have been named Zebediah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Zebediah is past its peak , currently ranked #5,750 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Zebediah appears multiple times in the Old Testament, including in Chronicles and Ezra
- The shortened form Zebedee is the father of the apostles James and John in the New Testament
Zebediah in Other Languages
Greek
Ζεβεδαῖος
French
Zébédée
Hebrew
זְבַדְיָה
Spanish
Zebedías
Popularity Over Time
#5,750
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1979
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Zebediah
Z
Zebediah
Religious
Several minor figures in the Old Testament bearing this name, including a Levite in 1 Chronicles
Z
Zebediah Creed Fictional
Other
Character from the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #5,750
- Total SSA Count
- 16
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish English American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Zeb
Zeb
Bede
Zeddi
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Zebediah
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Zebediah
What does the name Zebediah mean?
"gift of God" (from Hebrew). "Yahweh has bestowed" (from Hebrew). Zebediah is a Hebrew name combining Zeved (meaning gift or endowment) with Yah, the shortened form of Yahweh, the Hebrew name for God. Thus the name means gift of God or God has bestowed. It appears in the Old Testament as a name borne by several minor figures and shares its root with the simpler Zebedee, the father of the apostles James and John in the New Testament.
What is the origin of the name Zebediah?
Zebediah has Hebrew, Jewish, English, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "gift of God". In Hebrew, it means "Yahweh has bestowed".
Is Zebediah a boy or girl name?
Zebediah is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Zebediah?
Zebediah is currently ranked #5750 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Zebediah?
Common nicknames for Zebediah include Zeb, Zeb, Bede, and Zeddi.
What are good middle names for Zebediah?
Popular middle name pairings include Zebediah Cole, Zebediah James, Zebediah Thomas, Zebediah Reed, Zebediah Grant, and Zebediah Paul.
What are good sibling names for Zebediah?
Names that pair well with Zebediah as siblings include Elijah, Ezekiel, Delilah, Jebediah, Malachi, and Miriam.
How many syllables does Zebediah have?
Zebediah has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Zebediah a common or rare name?
Zebediah is an uncommon name, ranked #5750 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Zebediah?
Are there other spellings for Zebediah?
Related spellings include Zebedee.
About the Name Zebediah
Zebediah is a boy name with Jewish, English, and American origins . The name means "gift of God" in Hebrew .
Zebediah is currently ranked #5,750 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Zebediah has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Zebediah include Zeb, Zeb, Bede, and Zeddi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Zebediah include Zebedee . 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