Jebadiah
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 181 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Jebadiah peaked during the Gen X years, when 14 babies received this name in a single year (1978). That era was defined by post-traditional, counterculture-influenced naming, and Jebadiah has a more concentrated history, reflecting a specific cultural moment rather than a broad generational wave.
Jebadiah is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Jebadiah is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a variant spelling of Jedidiah, meaning 'beloved of God' — from yedid (beloved) and Yah (God). In the Bible, Jedidiah was the secret name given to Solomon by the prophet Nathan, a sign of divine favor.
Jebadiah has the Old Testament gravitas of frontier America, where Biblical names were carried by settlers into the wilderness. The spelling variant gives it a particular Americana quality — rugged, devout, and distinctly old-fashioned in the best sense.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Jebadiah belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their strong, devotional ending — rooted in Hebrew theophoric naming. At three syllables, it has a three-beat flow that carries a sense of formality and completeness.
Within the Hebrew naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Hebrew names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Jebadiah’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Jebadiah has 24+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1977.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 34 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 49 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 29 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 46 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 23 | — |
The Story of Jebadiah
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1978, Jebadiah is a Gen X staple. Boys named Jebadiah are most likely born between 1977 and 1988.
How rare is Jebadiah?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Jebadiah is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1977, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2000s with 49 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Jebadiah by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(24 years, 1977–2016)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 6 | #11326 |
| 2014 | 6 | #11340 |
| 2013 | 10 | #7777 |
| 2011 | 7 | #10109 |
| 2010 | 5 | #13151 |
| 2007 | 6 | #11562 |
| 2005 | 5 | #12244 |
| 2003 | 7 | #9103 |
| 2002 | 12 | #5877 |
| 2001 | 6 | #9824 |
| 2000 | 13 | #5417 |
| 1998 | 7 | #7960 |
| 1995 | 5 | #9486 |
| 1994 | 6 | #8211 |
| 1991 | 6 | #7693 |
| 1990 | 5 | #8718 |
| 1988 | 5 | #7813 |
| 1986 | 7 | #5600 |
| 1985 | 6 | #6121 |
| 1984 | 10 | #4048 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jebadiah a boy's or girl's name?
When was Jebadiah most popular?
How popular is the name Jebadiah?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1977–2016