Gideon
Gideon is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Hewer; one who cuts down”.
| Meaning | Hewer; one who cuts down |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Written as | גִּדְעוֹן |
| Pronunciation | GID-ee-un |
| Tradition | Jewish, Christian |
| Used in | United States, Israel, United Kingdom |
Meaning and origin of Gideon
Gideon comes from the Hebrew root g-d-a, 'to cut down' or 'hew', so it is usually explained as 'hewer' or 'feller'; the popular gloss 'mighty warrior' comes from the angel calling him 'mighty man of valour'. In the Book of Judges (chapters 6 to 8) Gideon tears down an altar of Baal and leads a small band of 300 men to defeat the Midianites. The name was taken up by English Puritans.
Is Gideon a Jewish name?
Gideon is a biblical name shared by Jews and Christians, honouring the judge of Israel in the Book of Judges. The Gideons International Bible society is named after him.
How popular is Gideon?
A rising choice in the US and UK; Gidon is the Israeli form.
Gifts with the name Gideon
- Gideon name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Gideon baby gifts (Amazon)
- Jewish baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Gideon
Names similar to Gideon
More Jewish boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gideon mean?
Gideon means 'Hewer; one who cuts down'. It is of Hebrew origin.
Is Gideon a Jewish name?
Gideon is a biblical name shared by Jews and Christians, honouring the judge of Israel in the Book of Judges. The Gideons International Bible society is named after him.
How do you pronounce Gideon?
Gideon is pronounced GID-ee-un.
Is Gideon a boy or girl name?
Gideon is usually a boy name.