Jesse

Meaning: gift · Origin: Hebrew · Gender: usually a boy's name

Origin & history

Hebrew Yishai, often explained as 'gift'. Jesse was the father of King David. Jesse Owens won four Olympic golds in 1936.

Famous people named Jesse

Jesse Owens (athlete)

Nicknames

Jess

Variants & related names

Jessie, Yishai

Jesse name art

A free preview of a printable “Jesse” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Jesse mean?

Jesse means “gift”. It comes from Hebrew.

Is Jesse a popular name?

Yes — Jesse has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Jesse?

Jess.

What are other forms of Jesse?

Jessie, Yishai.

Similar names

Joshua · Nathan · Caleb · Eli · Aaron · Ezekiel

More: names starting with J · all boys' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.