Jesse
Peaked at #26 nationally in 1882, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Jesse has been recorded 3% of the time for girls and 97% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Jesse comes from the Hebrew "Yishai," a name of debated meaning sometimes glossed as "gift"; in the Bible, Jesse is the father of King David.
Notable people & culture
Jesse peaked at #26 in 1882; outlaw Jesse James, whose notoriety was already spreading by then, is the name's best-known 19th-century bearer.
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Jesse — Girls (United States)
StablePeak rank
#518
in 1981
Current rank
#2466
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1880, Jesse reached its peak popularity for girls in 1981, ranking #518 nationally with 380 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #2485 (2014) to #2466 (2024) — a 1% improvement.
As of 2024, Jesse ranks #2466 nationally for girls, with 73 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #2,466 | 73 |
| 2023 | #2,471 | 72 |
| 2022 | #3,138 | 52 |
| 2021 | #2,541 | 69 |
| 2020 | #2,642 | 64 |
| 2019 | #2,837 | 59 |
| 2018 | #2,248 | 82 |
| 2017 | #2,389 | 76 |
Jesse — Boys (United States)
StablePeak rank
#26
in 1882
Current rank
#187
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1880, Jesse reached its peak popularity for boys in 1882, ranking #26 nationally with 660 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #172 (2014) to #187 (2024) — a 8% drop.
As of 2024, Jesse ranks #187 nationally for boys, with 1,980 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #187 | 1,980 |
| 2023 | #202 | 1,823 |
| 2022 | #192 | 1,975 |
| 2021 | #203 | 1,905 |
| 2020 | #203 | 1,885 |
| 2019 | #199 | 1,978 |
| 2018 | #186 | 2,144 |
| 2017 | #186 | 2,105 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Jesse most popular?
Jesse was most popular in 1882, when it ranked #26 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Jesse becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently stable; for boys, it's currently stable, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Jesse?
At least 442,811 babies have been recorded with the name Jesse in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Jesse? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.