Jeb
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 2,586 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A diminutive of the male given name Jebediah.
Jeb is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a nickname for Jebediah, from the Hebrew Yedidyah, meaning 'beloved of God.' The name carries frontier American spirit, associated with the Confederacy's General J.E.B. Stuart, and more recently with Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida.
With over 2,500 recorded U.S. births, Jeb has a rugged, straightforward quality — the name of someone who shakes hands firmly, means what they say, and gets things done.
EtymologyShow more
Jeb first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1944. Arriving in the 1940s, Jeb appeared during a period when American naming was beginning to diversify beyond the traditional Anglo-Saxon and biblical pools.
Its Hebrew classification suggests a path from hebrew linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Jeb was #1982 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #7972, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 92 | #5515 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 246 | #4263 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 426 | #2886 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 347 | #2352 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 527 | #1418 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 516 | #1295 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 236 | #1718 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 180 | #2024 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 16 | #3713 | — |
The Story of Jeb
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1981, Jeb is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Jeb are most likely born between 1971 and 1991.
How rare is Jeb?
Only about 1 in every 360,000 babies born in 2024 was named Jeb — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1944, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1980s with 527 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Jeb by the numbers
- Would fill 54 school buses
- Meeting one Jeb per day would take 7.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(78 years, 1944–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | #7972 |
| 2023 | 15 | #6054 |
| 2022 | 25 | #4225 |
| 2021 | 20 | #4844 |
| 2020 | 22 | #4478 |
| 2019 | 20 | #4876 |
| 2018 | 19 | #5007 |
| 2017 | 20 | #4830 |
| 2016 | 23 | #4392 |
| 2015 | 37 | #3112 |
| 2014 | 28 | #3729 |
| 2013 | 32 | #3368 |
| 2012 | 24 | #4193 |
| 2011 | 18 | #5080 |
| 2010 | 25 | #4043 |
| 2009 | 21 | #4656 |
| 2008 | 24 | #4189 |
| 2007 | 22 | #4426 |
| 2006 | 38 | #2950 |
| 2005 | 52 | #2281 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jeb a boy's or girl's name?
When was Jeb most popular?
How popular is the name Jeb?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1944–2024