Holding steady, #5,208 for boys today.
Popularity of Zebediah since 1978
Babies named Zebediah per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2007, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Zebediah's real moment was 1998.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 25 |
| 1980s | 63 |
| 1990s | 112 |
| 2000s | 172 |
| 2010s | 160 |
| 2020s | 90 |
Meaning & origin
Zebediah is a rare biblical name first recorded in U.S. births in 1978. Its peak popularity came in 1998, though even then it was uncommon. As of 2025, it ranked 5,208, with an incidence of roughly 1 in 94,893 boys. The name has remained stable in usage, never breaking into widespread use. A variant of Zebadiah, it shares the meaning "God has given" and reflects the enduring appeal of Old Testament names. Parents drawn to Zebediah may appreciate its distinctive sound and religious heritage, as well as the nickname options Zeb or Zeke.
Zebediah is a variant of Zebadiah, derived from the Hebrew name Zevadiah, meaning "God has given." It consists of the elements "zevad" (to bestow) and "Yah" (a shortened form of Yahweh). The name appears in the Old Testament as the name of several minor figures, including a Benjamite warrior who joined David at Ziklag. In the post-biblical era, it was adopted by Puritans and later revived in the 19th century, though it remains rare in modern usage.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zeb, Zebby, Zeke
Sibling names for Zebediah
Names that share Zebediah's style, for a brother or sister.
