Declining since 2002, #173 for boys today.
Popularity of Jesus since 1880
Babies named Jesus per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 133 |
| 1890s | 142 |
| 1900s | 453 |
| 1910s | 2,239 |
| 1920s | 6,578 |
| 1930s | 5,480 |
| 1940s | 6,316 |
| 1950s | 8,352 |
| 1960s | 10,894 |
| 1970s | 18,807 |
| 1980s | 27,400 |
| 1990s | 49,129 |
| 2000s | 61,324 |
| 2010s | 33,796 |
| 2020s | 13,238 |
Meaning & origin
Jesus has been a consistent presence in US baby naming since 1880, when it first appeared in Social Security records. Its popularity has fluctuated, reaching a peak rank of 63 in 2001, but has since trended downward, with a trajectory of consistent decline since 2002. In 2025, the name ranked 173rd nationally, with a birth rate of approximately 1 in 822 newborns. Geographically, Jesus is most common in states with large Hispanic populations, including Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The name's deep religious significance in Christianity and its widespread use in Spanish-speaking cultures continue to make it a meaningful choice for families honoring their faith and heritage.
Jesus is the Latinized form of the Greek Iesous, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Yeshua (ישוע), a contraction of Yehoshua (יהושע), meaning 'Yahweh is salvation' or 'God saves.' The name was common among Jews in the Second Temple period and is best known as the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the central figure of Christianity. It has been used as a given name in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking cultures especially, where it is often given in honor of Christ.
Where Jesus is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Jesus” around the world
Where Jesus lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Chuy, Jes
Sibling names for Jesus
Names that share Jesus's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maria, Sofia, Isabella, Valentina, Camila, Guadalupe, Concepcion, Hortencia, Lupe, Milagros, Jesusa, Jesusita, Maricruz, Milagro, Sanjuanita, Conception, Deloras, Irais, Mariaguadalupe, Marycruz, Virgen, Altagracia, Consepcion, Corazon, Cruzita, Nieves, Monserrate
Brothers: Jose, Juan, Miguel, Luis, Rafael, Trinidad, Refujio, Savior
Names like Jesus
Names whose popularity has moved with Jesus's over the last 50 years.
