Find out how popular the first name Hesed has been for the last 2 years (from 2021 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Hesed by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Hesed is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 74% of people named Hesed being male.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 8 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Hesed.

The history of the first name Hesed

The given name Hesed is derived from the Hebrew word חֶסֶד (Ḥesed), which means "kindness" or "loving-kindness." This name has its origins in ancient Semitic languages and can be traced back to the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament.

In the Hebrew Bible, Hesed is a central concept that represents God's unconditional love and mercy towards humanity. It is often associated with the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites. The name Hesed is not explicitly mentioned as a personal name in the Bible, but its meaning and significance are deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Hesed was Hesed ben Hesed, a Jewish scholar who lived in the 10th century CE in Babylon. He was a renowned Talmudic scholar and is mentioned in several Jewish historical records.

Another notable figure with the name Hesed was Rabbi Hesed ben Yitzhak, a 13th-century French Jewish philosopher and scholar. He was known for his commentary on the Torah and his contribution to the development of Jewish thought during the medieval period.

In the 16th century, Hesed ben Yosef, a Jewish mystic and kabbalist, lived in Safed, a city in present-day Israel. He was a prominent figure in the Safed school of Kabbalah and wrote several works on Jewish mysticism.

Moving to more modern times, Hesed Hadas (1910-1980) was an Israeli politician and Knesset member who served as the Minister of Religious Affairs in the 1960s. He played a significant role in shaping Israel's religious policies and advocating for the rights of religious minorities.

Another notable individual with the name Hesed was Hesed Eliyahu (1901-1996), a prominent Sephardic rabbi and kabbalist from Djerba, Tunisia. He was known for his expertise in Jewish law and his extensive knowledge of Kabbalah.

While the name Hesed may not be as common as other Hebrew names, its deep roots in the Judeo-Christian tradition and its association with kindness and compassion have made it a significant and meaningful name throughout history.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Hesed was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Hesed, please contact us.

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