How to say it
JES · se
ˈdʒɛs.i
Masculine
Jesse
Yahweh exists, or 'gift'
What it means
Hebrew Yishai, possibly 'Yahweh exists' or 'gift.' Father of King David in the Old Testament; the 'Jesse tree' is a Christian iconographic device showing Jesus's lineage from Jesse through David.
Jesse comes from the Hebrew Yishai (Greek Iessai). The exact root is contested; common readings are 'Yahweh exists,' 'gift,' or 'wealthy.' In the Old Testament Jesse is the father of King David; the 'Tree of Jesse' is a medieval Christian iconographic motif showing Jesus's lineage traced through David back to Jesse, a common subject in stained-glass windows. The English Jesse was a Puritan favorite. Jesse James (the 19th-century outlaw), Jesse Owens (the 1936 Berlin Olympics sprinter), and Breaking Bad's Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) cover three very different cultural moments. The name has been in the US top 200 since the 1970s and is sliding now. Single short forms aren't common.
How to spell Jesse
The standard spelling is Jesse. Common variants include Jessie, Yishai, but Jesse is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #26 in 1882, currently #184 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Jesse is the dominant masculine spelling; Jessie is more often feminine (and a short for Jessica).
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Jesse (Bible) Father of King David, root of the 'Tree of Jesse' iconography
- Jesse James 19th-century American outlaw, train robber
- Jesse Owens American sprinter, four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Spelling variants
- Jessie
- Yishai
Names with the same feeling
See Jesse from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Jesse mean?
- Hebrew Yishai, possibly 'Yahweh exists' or 'gift.' Father of King David in the Old Testament; the 'Jesse tree' is a Christian iconographic device showing Jesus's lineage from Jesse through David.
- What does Jesse mean in Hebrew?
- In Hebrew, Jesse means "Yahweh exists, or 'gift'." Jesse comes from the Hebrew Yishai (Greek Iessai). The exact root is contested; common readings are 'Yahweh exists,' 'gift,' or 'wealthy.' In the Old Testament Jesse is the father of King David; the 'Tree of Jesse' is a medieval Christian iconographic motif showing Jesus's lineage traced through David back to Jesse, a common subject in stained-glass windows. The English Jesse was a Puritan favorite. Jesse James (the 19th-century outlaw), Jesse Owens (the 1936 Berlin Olympics sprinter), and Breaking Bad's Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) cover three very different cultural moments. The name has been in the US top 200 since the 1970s and is sliding now. Single short forms aren't common.
- How do you pronounce Jesse?
- Jesse is pronounced ˈdʒɛs.i. Say it as JES-se, with the stress on the "jes" syllable.
- How do you spell Jesse?
- The standard spelling is Jesse. Common spelling variants include Jessie, Yishai.
- Is Jesse a boy or girl name?
- Jesse is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Jesse?
- Jesse ranked #184 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.