Find out how popular the first name Jebediah has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jebediah by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jebediah is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 20 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Jebediah.

The history of the first name Jebediah

The given name Jebediah has its origins in Hebrew, stemming from the biblical name Obadiah. It is a variant spelling that emerged in the 17th century among English Puritans. Obadiah itself is derived from the Hebrew words "Ovad" meaning "servant" and "Yah" referring to God, essentially translating to "servant of God".

Jebediah was a popular choice for male children among the Puritans of New England in the 1600s and 1700s. It was seen as a virtuous and pious name, reflecting their religious beliefs and values. The name appears in various early colonial records and church registries from that era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jebediah is found in the 1639 book "The Simple Cobler of Aggawam in America" by Nathaniel Ward, where he mentions a character named Jebediah Neesucker. This suggests the name was already in use among the Puritan settlers of Massachusetts Bay Colony at that time.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Jebediah. One of the earliest was Jebediah Morse (1761-1826), an American geographer and minister known for his influential works such as "American Gazetteer" and "Elements of Geography". Another was Jebediah Huntington (1736-1819), a Continental Army officer who served during the American Revolutionary War.

In the 19th century, Jebediah Kilburn Spaulding (1819-1905) was a prominent American Baptist minister and educator, serving as the first president of the University of Kansas. During the same period, Jebediah Southworth (1811-1896) was a renowned American shipbuilder and inventor from Maine.

Jumping to the 20th century, Jebediah Springfield was the name given to a fictional character in the popular animated series "The Simpsons". Though not a real person, this portrayal likely helped to renew interest in the name among modern audiences.

While not as common today as it once was, Jebediah remains a distinctly American name with a rich historical legacy rooted in the Puritan heritage of early colonial New England. Its Hebrew origins and biblical connotations have contributed to its enduring appeal over the centuries.

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 Jebediah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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