Jesse is a name of Hebrew origin that means "God is my salvation." It is believed to have been derived from the Hebrew name Yeshua, which was also the basis for the name Jesus in English. The name Jesse has a rich history and appears several times in the Bible.
The most notable appearance of Jesse is as the father of King David in the Old Testament. According to the story, Jesse had eight sons, with his youngest son, David, being anointed by the prophet Samuel as the future king of Israel. This made Jesse the ancestor of a long line of kings and ultimately the lineage of Jesus Christ.
The name Jesse also appears elsewhere in the Bible. In the New Testament, Jesse is mentioned as one of the ancestors of Jesus Christ. Additionally, there was a man named Jesse who was a member of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish authority during the time of Jesus.
Due to its biblical roots and significant historical figures associated with it, the name Jesse has been widely used throughout history. It gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages but has remained relatively uncommon compared to other names such as John or James.
Today, Jesse is still considered a strong and classic name that carries a sense of tradition and heritage. Parents who choose this name may do so for its biblical significance, historical ties, or simply because they like its sound and meaning. Regardless of the reason, the name Jesse has proven to be a timeless choice with a rich history behind it.
"Jesse as a name had a fluctuating popularity over time, with a notable surge from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, reaching its peak in 1981 with 380 births. However, it has since declined significantly, with only 51 births recorded in 2022."