Jehad
A boy's name of Arabic origin with 175 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Alternative spelling of jihad.
Jehad is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, an alternate spelling of Jihad — from the Arabic root j-h-d meaning 'effort, struggle, striving.' In Islamic theology, the greater jihad refers to the internal spiritual struggle to live righteously, while the lesser jihad refers to external defense of the faith.
In its spiritual meaning, Jehad is a name about effort and striving — a name that embodies the Islamic concept of working hard toward righteousness, used as a given name primarily in Arabic-speaking Muslim communities.
EtymologyShow more
Jehad appeared in SSA records in 1979, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Arabic roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 175 recorded births, Jehad has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Jehad has 24+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1979.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 11 | #12311 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 29 | #10837 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 80 | #7135 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 49 | #5075 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 6 | #5670 | — |
The Story of Jehad
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1993, Jehad is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Jehad are most likely born between 1983 and 2003.
How rare is Jehad?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Jehad is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1979, peaked in the 1990s with 80 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Jehad by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(24 years, 1979–2011)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 6 | #11467 |
| 2010 | 5 | #13154 |
| 2008 | 5 | #13451 |
| 2005 | 6 | #10689 |
| 2003 | 5 | #11715 |
| 2001 | 7 | #8706 |
| 2000 | 6 | #9624 |
| 1999 | 7 | #8251 |
| 1998 | 9 | #6536 |
| 1997 | 5 | #9940 |
| 1996 | 8 | #6770 |
| 1995 | 7 | #7334 |
| 1994 | 11 | #5254 |
| 1993 | 15 | #4115 |
| 1992 | 6 | #7893 |
| 1991 | 6 | #7696 |
| 1990 | 6 | #7560 |
| 1989 | 11 | #4638 |
| 1988 | 10 | #4587 |
| 1983 | 6 | #5820 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jehad a boy's or girl's name?
When was Jehad most popular?
How popular is the name Jehad?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1979–2011