Jessup

A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 472 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's nameRare nameNot ranked recently

Meaning & Origin

A surname.

Jessup is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, an English surname variant of Joseph — from Hebrew Yosef meaning 'God will increase' or 'God will add.' Joseph is one of the most beloved figures in the Old Testament, the son of Jacob who rose from slavery to become Pharaoh's minister.

Jessup as a given name carries the full Biblical lineage of Joseph in a distinctively surname-style form. It appeared in 19th and early 20th century American records, projecting a certain New England and frontier quality.

EtymologyShow more

In the American context, Jessup is a boy's name with several decades of recorded use (1948–2023). Its Hebrew roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.

With 472 total births, Jessup exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.

At a Glance

472

Total births

Since 1948

1995

Peak

23 births

1948

First recorded

76 years of data

Compare Jessup with another name

Popularity Over Time

Jessup has 43+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1948.

First appeared: 1948Peak: 1995 (23 births)

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Jessup
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	32	#9670	▼
2010s	84	#8450	▼
2000s	105	#6773	▼
1990s	151	#4528	▲
1980s	65	#4183	▲
1970s	30	#4769	▲
1940s	5	#3923	—

The Story of Jessup

A Millennial name

Peaking in 1995, Jessup is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Jessup are most likely born between 1985 and 2005.

How rare is Jessup?

With fewer than 500 recorded births, Jessup is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1948, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1990s with 151 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.

Jessup by the numbers

Would fill 10 school buses
Meeting one Jessup per day would take 1.3 years

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(43 years, 1948–2023)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Jessup
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2023	9	#8543	+1 (12.5%)
2022	8	#9374	+3 (60.0%)
2021	5	#12988	-5 (-50.0%)
2020	10	#7774	+1 (11.1%)
2019	9	#8497	-3 (-25.0%)
2017	12	#6882	+4 (50.0%)
2016	8	#9234	-4 (-33.3%)
2015	12	#6863	+5 (71.4%)
2014	7	#10127	-1 (-12.5%)
2013	8	#9176	0
2012	8	#9249	0
2011	8	#9147	-4 (-33.3%)
2010	12	#6877	+4 (50.0%)
2009	8	#9390	-1 (-11.1%)
2008	9	#8629	-4 (-30.8%)
2007	13	#6427	-1 (-7.1%)
2005	14	#5715	+2 (16.7%)
2004	12	#6316	+2 (20.0%)
2003	10	#6960	0
2002	10	#6767	-9 (-47.4%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jessup a boy's or girl's name?

Jessup is primarily a boy's name.

When was Jessup most popular?

Jessup reached its peak popularity in 1995 with 23 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Jessup?

Jessup is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 472 babies in the U.S. since 1948. Its peak was in 1995.

Explore More

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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1948–2023