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    The first name Zebedee

    A boy’s name from Hebrew meaning “my gift”.

    Pronounced /ˈzɛbɪdiː/ 3 syllables Male

    Meaning and origin

    Hebrew origin

    Zebedee means “my gift” in Hebrew.

    Ultimately from Ancient Greek Ζεβεδαῖος (Zebedaîos), from Hebrew זְבַדְיָה (Zəḇaḏyâ), from זַבְדִּי (zab̲dî, “my gift”). Doublet of Zebadiah.

    More names that mean gift.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 12 boys were named Zebedee, making it the 2,014th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2017, with 19 births (#1,339).

    01020 1996200020052010201520202025
    283
    babies named Zebedee, 1996–2025
    #2,014
    rank in 2025
    2017
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Zebedee with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Zebedee at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 19 boys born in the United States were named Zebedee, the 5,203rd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2024, when 38 were.

    02040 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    1,276
    babies named Zebedee since 1880
    #5,203
    rank in 2025
    2024
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Nicknames for Zebedee

    Famous people named Zebedee

    1 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Earl Hooker
      American Chicago blues guitarist (1929–1970)

    More Hebrew boys’ names

    All 346 names of Hebrew origin

    Questions

    What does the name Zebedee mean?
    Zebedee means “my gift” in Hebrew.
    What is the origin of the name Zebedee?
    Ultimately from Ancient Greek Ζεβεδαῖος (Zebedaîos), from Hebrew זְבַדְיָה (Zəḇaḏyâ), from זַבְדִּי (zab̲dî, “my gift”). Doublet of Zebadiah.
    How popular is the name Zebedee?
    In 2025, 12 boys born in England and Wales were named Zebedee, ranking 2,014th. Its peak was 2017, with 19 births.
    What are nicknames for Zebedee?
    Common nicknames for Zebedee include Zeb.
    Is Zebedee a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 1,276 US babies named Zebedee since 1880 were boys.
    When was Zebedee most popular?
    2024 in the United States, when 38 babies were named Zebedee, its highest rank at 3,213th.
    How do you pronounce Zebedee?
    Zebedee is /ˈzɛbɪdiː/, 3 syllables.