Find out how popular the first name Midian has been for the last 11 years (from 2008 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Midian by gender

Based on the last 11 years of data, Midian is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Midian.

The history of the first name Midian

The name Midian has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient biblical times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "midyan," which means "strife" or "discord." This name is closely tied to the Midianites, an ancient Arabian tribe mentioned in the Old Testament.

The Midianites were a nomadic people who lived in the deserts of northwestern Arabia and parts of modern-day Jordan and Saudi Arabia. They were known for their involvement in trade and commerce, particularly in the spice trade. The name Midian is first mentioned in the Book of Genesis, where it refers to one of the sons of Abraham through his wife Keturah.

In the biblical narrative, Midian and his brothers were sent away by Abraham to the "land of the east," where they established their own settlements and tribes. The Midianites are portrayed as a powerful and influential group, often clashing with the Israelites over land and resources.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Midian is Midian, the son of Abraham and Keturah, who lived around the 18th century BCE. Another notable figure is Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, who was a Midianite priest and is sometimes referred to as Midian or Reuel.

In later historical periods, the name Midian appears sporadically in various texts and records. Midian ben Phineas was a Jewish scholar who lived in the 3rd century CE and is mentioned in the Talmud. Midian Adi was a 16th-century Jewish philosopher and scholar from Safed, Palestine.

Other notable individuals with the name Midian include Midian Ramsey (1747-1820), an American politician and military officer who served in the Revolutionary War, and Midian Osmani (1834-1905), an Albanian writer and educator who played a significant role in the Albanian National Awakening.

While the name Midian has its roots in ancient Hebrew and biblical traditions, it has been used across various cultures and time periods, often carrying connotations of conflict or strife due to its etymological origins.

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

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

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