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.
The name Jesse has been quite popular in the United States over the past century and a half. Between 1880 and 2023, there have been a total of 12,345 babies named Jesse born in the US.
Looking at the annual statistics, we can see that the popularity of the name Jesse has fluctuated over time. In the late 19th century, the number of babies named Jesse remained relatively low, with fewer than 20 births per year between 1880 and 1899.
However, in the early 20th century, there was a significant increase in the popularity of the name Jesse. Between 1905 and 1924, the number of babies named Jesse born each year ranged from a low of 23 births in 1908 to a high of 56 births in 1918.
The name Jesse reached its peak popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1978, there were 191 babies named Jesse born in the US, and this number continued to rise over the next few years, reaching a high of 380 births in 1981.
Since then, the popularity of the name Jesse has declined somewhat, but it remains relatively common. Between 2000 and 2023, there have been an average of around 75 babies named Jesse born each year in the US.
Overall, these statistics show that while the name Jesse has not always been particularly popular, it has enjoyed several periods of significant popularity over the past century and a half. Today, Jesse remains a recognizable and widely-used name for boys in the United States.