יִשַׁי

Jesse

boyHebrewChristianJewish

Jesse is a Christian boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Gift; possibly 'God exists'”.

MeaningGift; possibly 'God exists'
GenderBoy
OriginHebrew
Written asיִשַׁי
PronunciationJES-ee
TraditionChristian, Jewish
Used inUnited States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Australia

Meaning and origin of Jesse

Jesse is the English form of Hebrew Yishai. Its meaning is uncertain: it is often explained as 'gift', while some scholars connect it with a word meaning 'God exists'. In the Bible, Jesse of Bethlehem is the father of King David, and the 'root of Jesse' in Isaiah became a Christian symbol of Jesus' ancestry, often shown in church art as the Tree of Jesse. Famous bearers include the athlete Jesse Owens.

Is Jesse a Christian name?

Jesse is a biblical name: he is David's father in the Books of Samuel and an ancestor of Jesus in the Gospel genealogies.

How popular is Jesse?

A long-standing name in English-speaking countries and the Netherlands.

Gifts with the name Jesse

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Spellings and variants of Jesse

YishaiJessieIsai

Names similar to Jesse

More Christian boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Jesse mean?

Jesse means 'Gift; possibly 'God exists''. It is of Hebrew origin.

Is Jesse a Christian name?

Jesse is a biblical name: he is David's father in the Books of Samuel and an ancestor of Jesus in the Gospel genealogies.

How do you pronounce Jesse?

Jesse is pronounced JES-ee.

Is Jesse a boy or girl name?

Jesse is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.