Jehu is a unique and uncommon given name of Hebrew origin. The name Jehu is derived from the Hebrew word "yehôahû", which means "Yahweh is He" or "Yahweh exists". In the Bible, Jehu was the ninth king of Israel and the founder of the Jehu Dynasty. According to the biblical narrative, Jehu reigned over Israel for 28 years, from approximately 841 BCE to 813 BCE. He is best known for his military campaigns against the rival kingdoms of Judah, Moab, and Ammon, as well as his zealous pursuit of idolatry within his own kingdom. Despite his controversial methods, Jehu is remembered as a significant figure in biblical history due to his role in consolidating power and establishing a new ruling dynasty in ancient Israel. Today, the name Jehu remains relatively rare but carries a rich historical significance for those who bear it or are interested in biblical studies.
The name Jehu saw significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with peaks in recent times. It started strong in the early 20th century, hovering between 5 to 11 births per year from 1914 to 1986. However, there was a notable decline from 1987 to 1992, with only 5 births each year on average. The name then began to regain popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, reaching as high as 33 births in 2015. Despite some ups and downs since then, Jehu has remained relatively popular, with around 20-30 births per year from 2011 to 2023. In total, there have been 993 births named Jehu over the years.