Jesse is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew name Yishai, which means "God will exist." It is also associated with the biblical figure Jesse, who was the father of King David in the Old Testament.
The name Jesse gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages due to its use in literature and religion. It was used as a given name for boys, although it was more commonly used as a surname. In the 19th century, the name began to be used more frequently as a given name, particularly in the United States.
Today, Jesse is considered a classic boy's name, with a timeless and traditional feel. It has consistently ranked among the most popular names for boys in English-speaking countries over the past few decades. Variations of the name include Jess, Jessie, and Jas.
The name Jesse has been popular among parents in the United States for over a century. According to historical data on birth records, the name first saw significant use in the late 19th century. Between 1880 and 1890, the number of babies named Jesse ranged from a low of 423 births in 1899 to a high of 670 births in 1884.
In the early 20th century, the popularity of the name Jesse continued to fluctuate. Between 1900 and 1929, the number of babies named Jesse ranged from a low of 1804 births in 1933 to a high of 2486 births in 1921. However, during this time period, there was a notable increase in the overall popularity of the name Jesse, with more than 2000 babies named Jesse born each year between 1915 and 1927.
The middle of the 20th century saw a further rise in the popularity of the name Jesse. Between 1940 and 1969, there were over 3000 babies named Jesse born each year on average. The peak of this period occurred in 1972, when 3226 babies were named Jesse at birth.
However, from the late 1980s onwards, the popularity of the name Jesse began to decline. Between 1990 and 2022, there were fewer than 3000 babies named Jesse born each year on average. The lowest point in recent years occurred in 2020, when only 1880 babies were named Jesse at birth.
Overall, the name Jesse has been given to a total of 428,362 babies born in the United States over the past century and a half. Despite fluctuations in its popularity over time, Jesse remains a well-established and enduring name choice for parents across the country.