Jebediah is a unique and distinctively biblical male name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew name "Yedidia," which means "beloved of God" or "friend of God." In the Old Testament, Jebediah is mentioned as one of King David's mighty warriors, known for his courage and loyalty.
The name Jebediah was introduced to English-speaking countries through the King James Version of the Bible, where it appears in several places, including 1 Chronicles 11:26-47. However, its use outside of religious contexts has been quite rare throughout history.
In recent times, there has been a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Jebediah, perhaps due to its unique sound and biblical associations. Despite this, it remains relatively uncommon compared to other biblical names like John, James, or Samuel.
Overall, the name Jebediah is associated with strength, courage, and devotion, thanks to its biblical origins and the actions of its namesake warrior. It offers a distinctive choice for parents seeking a meaningful and unique name for their child.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe several trends regarding the birth occurrences of the name Jebediah in the United States over a span of nearly five decades.
From 1973 to around 1985, there was a gradual increase in the number of births named Jebediah, peaking at 23 births in 1978. However, after this peak, there was a decline in popularity, with fewer than 10 births per year between 1986 and 1995.
Interestingly, from 1996 onwards, the name Jebediah began to gain traction again, experiencing several peaks in popularity over time. In fact, the name has seen its highest number of births within the past decade: 29 births in 2016, 28 births in 2015, and 26 births in both 2014 and 2019.
Over the entire period from 1973 to 2023, a total of 713 babies were named Jebediah at birth in the United States. This steady growth in popularity over time indicates that while the name may not have been widely popular initially, it has since established itself as a distinctive and appealing choice for parents seeking a unique name for their children.