Zebadiah

Meaning & origin

Zebadiah is a biblical name that first entered the U.S. baby name records in 1974. Its peak popularity came in 2001, when it reached its highest rank of 3,583. The name has shown remarkable stability over time, with a trajectory that remains flat and consistent. It's given to roughly one in 55,099 baby boys, indicating a rare but persistent choice among parents seeking a traditional, religious name. The state of California shows the highest usage, reflecting the name's appeal in diverse communities. Zebadiah is the least common of the '-diah' names, standing apart from more widely used variants like Jedidiah and Zechariah.

Zebadiah is a Hebrew theophoric name derived from 'Zebad yah,' meaning 'Yahweh has bestowed' or 'gift of God.' It appears in the Old Testament as the name of several minor figures, including a son of Asahel and a Levite. Like other biblical names ending in '-iah,' it follows a pattern common in ancient Israelite naming that combines a verb with a divine element. The name has seen occasional use in the English-speaking world, primarily among religious families, and is often considered a variant of the more common Zebediah.