Jessee
Jessee was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1880, when it ranked 872nd; the most babies were born in 1990 (55). More babies were named Jessee in the 1990s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Jesse) Origin uncertain · Hebrew
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedboys
- Babies in 2025
- 0boys
- Girls and boys
- 29% girls, 71% boys2021–2025
- Peak year
- 199055 babies
- Total since 1880
- 1,958babies recorded
What does the name Jessee mean?
Jessee is a spelling of Jesse, pronounced the same way, so it shares Jesse's meaning and origin.
Jesse is the father of King David in the Bible. The English form comes through Greek Iessai and Latin Iesse from Hebrew Yishai. Its meaning is not certain: DMNES glosses it 'gift of God', but other proposals exist and the Hebrew form is hard to analyze. Wikipedia notes the name's popularity comes from the biblical figure. Wiktionary notes that Jesse is mainly a boy's name, while the girl's name is usually spelled Jessie.
יִשַׁי (Biblical Hebrew, “Yishai”)
How sure is this? Uncertain. DMNES gives 'gift of God', but the meaning of Yishai is debated.
Related names: Jessie, Jess, Yishai, Isaí.
See also: Hebrew names.
Sources for this meaning
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Jesse', Durham University / The DMNES Editors
- Hebrew Bible, I Samuel 16:1, JPS translation with notes (via Sefaria), Sefaria; verse reference and facts only, not quoted
- Wiktionary, entry 'Jesse', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation); facts restated, no text reused
- Wikipedia, 'Jesse (given name)', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation); facts restated, no text reused
Jessee popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (girls) | Rank (boys) | Babies (girls) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | #11,228 | — | 6 |
| 2010 | #18,239 | #6,191 | 5 | 14 |
| 2000 | #9,481 | #3,697 | 10 | 22 |
| 1990 | #5,386 | #1,537 | 17 | 55 |
| 1980 | #8,518 | #2,316 | 7 | 22 |
| 1970 | — | #2,565 | — | 14 |
| 1960 | — | #3,491 | — | 7 |
| 1950 | — | #3,175 | — | 7 |
| 1940 | — | #2,577 | — | 9 |
| 1930 | — | #4,273 | — | 5 |
| 1920 | — | #2,281 | — | 14 |
| 1910 | — | #1,719 | — | 5 |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | #872 | — | 6 |
How popular is Jessee, counting every spelling?
Jessee is a spelling of Jesse, a name family that ranked #197 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together. Together these spellings went to 2,012 boys in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jesse | 2,002 | #184 | 9,713 |
| Jese | 10 | #7,916 | 40 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Jessee?
About 1,200 people born in the US named Jessee are alive today, with a median age of 36; half are between 28 and 45. That makes Jessee mostly worn by adults in their thirties to fifties.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Jessee by state
How common Jessee was among boys born in each state in 1988–1992, around its peak. It is notably more common than nationally in Virginia (4.4×). In 46 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Jessee: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Jessee, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Jessee
What does Jessee mean?
The origin of Jesse is uncertain: DMNES gives 'gift of God', but the meaning of Yishai is debated.
How popular is the name Jessee?
Jessee was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1880, when it ranked 872nd; the most babies were born in 1990 (55). More babies were named Jessee in the 1990s than in any other decade.
Is Jessee a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, 29% girls, 71% boys given the name Jessee in the US.
Where was Jessee most popular?
In 1988–1992, Jessee was most common in Virginia (0.10 per 1,000 boys), followed by Tennessee and Missouri.