Midian
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 11 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
If you're considering Midian, you're looking at a name that fewer than 11 families have ever chosen in the U.S. That kind of rarity is intentional — it signals that the name was chosen for its sound, its personal meaning, or a family connection rather than a trend.
The clean, contemporary ending gives Midian a direct, strong feel that works well in both playground and boardroom.
Midian is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Midian is a masculine name taken directly from the Hebrew Bible. Midian was a son of Abraham and his wife Keturah, and his descendants gave their name to the Midianites, a people who appear repeatedly in the Old Testament. The name's etymology connects to the Hebrew root meaning "strife" or possibly "judgment," though the biblical Midian is presented as a patriarch rather than defined by this meaning.
In the United States, Midian appears in SSA records in very small numbers, used primarily in communities with deep engagement with biblical names. It carries an undeniable gravitas — ancient, distinctly male, and deeply embedded in the Abrahamic tradition.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Midian is a boy's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (2008–2018). 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 11 total births, Midian 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
Popularity Over Time
Midian has 2+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2008.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 6 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 5 | — |
The Story of Midian
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2018, Midian is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Midian are most likely born between 2008 and 2018.
How rare is Midian?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Midian is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2008, peaked in the 2010s with 6 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(2 years, 2008–2018)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 | #11683 |
| 2008 | 5 | #13919 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Midian a boy's or girl's name?
When was Midian most popular?
How popular is the name Midian?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2008–2018