Rising since 1986, #2,957 for girls today.
Popularity of Yocheved since 1953
Babies named Yocheved per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 14 |
| 1960s | 34 |
| 1970s | 135 |
| 1980s | 265 |
| 1990s | 365 |
| 2000s | 490 |
| 2010s | 691 |
| 2020s | 416 |
Meaning & origin
Yocheved has been in use in the United States since at least 1953, but it has seen a steady upward trajectory in popularity beginning around 1986. In the most recent year tracked, 2023, it ranked 2,957, with an incidence of roughly 1 in every 28,701 births. The name reached its highest rank in 2012, suggesting a modest peak that coincides with a broader interest in traditional biblical names. It is most frequently given to girls in New Jersey and New York, states with large Jewish communities where the name has deep cultural resonance. As the mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam in the Torah, Yocheved carries a strong historical and religious weight, and its rising use reflects a preference for authentic, meaningful names that honor heritage.
Yocheved is a Hebrew name from the Old Testament, the mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. The name is composed of elements possibly meaning 'Yahweh is glory' (kavod) or deriving from a root meaning 'heavy/honor.' It has been used by Jewish families for centuries and gained wider recognition in the 20th century.
Where Yocheved is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Yocheved” around the world
Where Yocheved lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yochi, Yoche
Variants: Jochebed, Yochebed
Sibling names for Yocheved
Names that share Yocheved's style, for a brother or sister.
