Jehu
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 1,028 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A king of Israel in the 9th century B.C.
Jehu is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'Yahweh is He' or 'He is God,' from the Hebrew Yehu.
In the Old Testament, Jehu was a fierce military commander who rose to become King of Israel in the 9th century BCE, known for driving his chariot at furious speed — which gave English the expression 'drive like Jehu.' It's a bold, uncommon biblical name with real historical drama behind it.
EtymologyShow more
Though Jehu dates back to 1914 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Hebrew classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
Jehu’s 1,028 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Jehu climbed 987 spots in the last 20 years — from #4336 to #3349.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 122 | #4410 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 258 | #4112 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 247 | #3820 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 127 | #5161 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 86 | #5151 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 29 | #4681 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 20 | #3496 | — |
| 1940s | 21 | #3658 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 29 | #3178 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 55 | #3403 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 34 | #3498 | — |
The Story of Jehu
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Jehu is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Jehu are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Jehu?
Only about 1 in every 102,857 babies born in 2024 was named Jehu — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1914, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 258 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Jehu by the numbers
- Would fill 21 school buses
- Meeting one Jehu per day would take 2.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(72 years, 1914–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 35 | #3349 |
| 2023 | 25 | #4266 |
| 2022 | 17 | #5524 |
| 2021 | 23 | #4431 |
| 2020 | 22 | #4479 |
| 2019 | 32 | #3525 |
| 2018 | 18 | #5189 |
| 2017 | 25 | #4165 |
| 2016 | 22 | #4535 |
| 2015 | 33 | #3397 |
| 2014 | 25 | #4062 |
| 2013 | 30 | #3536 |
| 2012 | 23 | #4312 |
| 2011 | 31 | #3470 |
| 2010 | 19 | #4928 |
| 2009 | 28 | #3770 |
| 2008 | 28 | #3782 |
| 2007 | 32 | #3405 |
| 2006 | 23 | #4147 |
| 2005 | 28 | #3488 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jehu a boy's or girl's name?
When was Jehu most popular?
How popular is the name Jehu?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1914–2024