Jediah

Meaning & origin

Jediah is a biblical name with deep Hebrew roots, meaning beloved of Yahweh. Despite its ancient origin, the name first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1974, indicating modern revival rather than continuous use. It reached its peak popularity in 2017 at rank 3,949, but has been declining since, fitting a broader trend of falling interest in old-fashioned biblical names. With a 1-in-63,262 usage rate in 2025, Jediah remains exceptionally rare, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive name with spiritual resonance. Its similarity to better-known Jedidiah often leads to confusion, but Jediah stands on its own as a viable choice.

Jediah is a Hebrew biblical name, derived from יְדִידְיָה (Yedidyah), meaning 'beloved of Yah' or 'friend of God'. The name appears in the Old Testament as the name of several minor figures, including a son of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 7:10) and a musician in David's reign (1 Chronicles 25:3). It has been used sparingly in English-speaking countries since the Puritan era, though it remains uncommon. It is sometimes confused with or used as a variant of Jedidiah, which has a similar meaning.