Holding steady.
Popularity of Jebadiah since 1977
Babies named Jebadiah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 23 |
| 1980s | 46 |
| 1990s | 29 |
| 2000s | 49 |
| 2010s | 34 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Jebadiah is a rare modern respelling of the biblical name Jedidiah. First recorded in 1977, it saw its highest use in 1978, the peak year, but has never reached a rank in national data, reflecting its extremely low frequency. The name has maintained a stable trajectory since the 1970s, with no strong regional concentration recorded in top states. Jebadiah appeals to parents seeking a phonetic update to a classic Old Testament name, though it remains an uncommon choice.
Jebadiah is a modern respelling of Jebediah, which derives from the Hebrew name Yedidyah (יְדִידְיָה), meaning 'friend of God' or 'beloved of the Lord,' though it is often interpreted as 'God is gracious.' In the Hebrew Bible, Jedidiah is a name given to Solomon by the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:25). The form Jebediah emerged in English-speaking usage, likely via the Old Testament name Jedidiah, and gained some popularity in the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. The variant Jebadiah appears sporadically beginning in the late 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jeb, Jed, Jebby
Sibling names for Jebadiah
Names that share Jebadiah's style, for a brother or sister.
