Gideon: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: Gideon’s story is often cited as a symbol of courage and faith, showing how God can use even the least confident person to achieve great things.

Gideon Overview

Meaning

Hewer, one who cuts trees

Gender

Boy

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew name “Gid’on,” meaning “hewer” or “”mighty warrior.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈɡɪd.i.ən/

Popularity

Gideon is used in various countries, notably in Israel and the USA. In 2023, Gideon ranked #307 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

9 (Humanitarian, Selfless, Creative)

Name Styles

Religious and Spiritual, Classic, Traditional

Associated Traits

Brave, determined, noble

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often associated with the biblical judge Gideon, known for his leadership and faith in the Book of Judges.

Name Day

September 1st (Hungary)

Gideon Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Gedeon, Gidon, Gedeón, Gideone

Common Nicknames

Gid, Dee, Don, Dino, Geddy, Donnie

Diminutives

Giddy, Ged, Gio, Gee, Gide, Dion

Famous People

Gideon Welles
(U.S. Secretary of the Navy)
Gideon Mantell
(English Paleontologist)
Gideon Levy
(Israeli Journalist)
Gideon Glick
(American Actor)
Gideon Sundback
(Swedish-American Inventor)
Gideon Yago
(American Journalist)
Gideon Tuba
(South African Activist)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Gideon
("Criminal Minds," TV Series)
Gideon Graves
("Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," Film)
Gideon Cross
("Crossfire," Novel Series)
"Gideon's Sword"
(Novel)
Gideon Jura
("Magic: The Gathering," Card Game)
"Gideon Falls"
(Comic Series)

Places

Gideon City
(Missouri, USA)
Gideon Pond House
(Bloomington, Minnesota)

What Is the Meaning of Gideon?

Gideon means “mighty warrior” or “hewer” in Hebrew. Those bearing this name are often seen as strong, brave, and determined.

What Is the Origin of The Name Gideon?

Gideon has its roots in Hebrew, deriving from the biblical Hebrew name “Gid’on.” It has a historical significance, often associated with a judge and military leader in the Old Testament.

Gideon Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Gideon in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#3082021	#3312022	#3182023
Top 3 Rankings	#3042017	#3082018	#3082021

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Gideon

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	318 (+13 from 2022)	1034 (+16 from 2022)	0.05647
2022	331 (-23 from 2021)	1018 (-62 from 2021)	0.05435
2021	308 (+13 from 2020)	1080 (+50 from 2020)	0.05764
2020	321 (-1 from 2019)	1030 (-10 from 2019)	0.05569
2019	320 (-12 from 2018)	1040 (-65 from 2018)	0.05412
2018	308 (-4 from 2017)	1105 (-56 from 2017)	0.05685
2017	304 (+32 from 2016)	1161 (+128 from 2016)	0.05866
2016	336 (-9 from 2015)	1033 (-22 from 2015)	0.05100
2015	327 (+21 from 2014)	1055 (+111 from 2014)	0.05160
2014	348 (+19 from 2013)	944 (+100 from 2013)	0.04607
2013	367 (+24 from 2012)	844 (+79 from 2012)	0.04177
2012	391 (+20 from 2011)	765 (+76 from 2011)	0.03770
2011	411 (+49 from 2010)	689 (+113 from 2010)	0.03392
2010	460 (+83 from 2009)	576 (+91 from 2009)	0.02804
2009	543 (-13 from 2008)	485 (-18 from 2008)	0.02287
2008	530 (-2 from 2007)	503 (+17 from 2007)	0.02307
2007	528 (+47 from 2006)	486 (+54 from 2006)	0.02194
2006	575 (+108 from 2005)	432 (+128 from 2005)	0.01970
2005	683 (+6 from 2004)	304 (+15 from 2004)	0.01429
2004	689 (-13 from 2003)	289 (+1 from 2003)	0.01367
2003	676 (+86 from 2002)	288 (+62 from 2002)	0.01371
2002	762 (-64 from 2001)	226 (-31 from 2001)	0.01094
2001	698 (+177 from 2000)	257 (+77 from 2000)	0.01243
2000	875 (+153 from 1999)	180 (+45 from 1999)	0.00862
1999	1028 (+44 from 1998)	135 (+13 from 1998)	0.00662
1998	1072 (-21 from 1997)	122 (+1 from 1997)	0.00602
1997	1051 (+28 from 1996)	121 (+9 from 1996)	0.00606
1996	1079 (-130 from 1995)	112 (-25 from 1995)	0.00559
1995	949 (+179 from 1994)	137 (+36 from 1994)	0.00681
1994	1128 (-48 from 1993)	101 (-6 from 1993)	0.00495
1993	1080 (+166 from 1992)	107 (+25 from 1992)	0.00518
1992	1246 (-116 from 1991)	82 (-12 from 1991)	0.00391
1991	1130 (+122 from 1990)	94 (+16 from 1990)	0.00443
1990	1252 (-216 from 1989)	78 (-21 from 1989)	0.00362
1989	1036 (+94 from 1988)	99 (+21 from 1988)	0.00472
1988	1130 (-63 from 1987)	78 (-2 from 1987)	0.00390
1987	1067 (+175 from 1986)	80 (+20 from 1986)	0.00410
1986	1242 (+111 from 1985)	60 (+9 from 1985)	0.00312
1985	1353 (-179 from 1984)	51 (-9 from 1984)	0.00265
1984	1174 (+173 from 1983)	60 (+12 from 1983)	0.00320
1983	1347 (-316 from 1982)	48 (-29 from 1982)	0.00258
1982	1031 (+80 from 1981)	77 (+10 from 1981)	0.00408
1981	1111 (-122 from 1980)	67 (-16 from 1980)	0.00360
1980	989 (+382 from 1979)	83 (+37 from 1979)	0.00447
1979	1371 (+166 from 1978)	46 (+9 from 1978)	0.00257
1978	1537 (-130 from 1977)	37 (-5 from 1977)	0.00217
1977	1407 (-34 from 1976)	42 No change from 1976	0.00246
1976	1373 (-165 from 1975)	42 (-7 from 1975)	0.00257
1975	1208 (+58 from 1974)	49 (+5 from 1974)	0.00302
1974	1266 (+134 from 1973)	44 (+8 from 1973)	0.00270
1973	1400 (-138 from 1972)	36 (-7 from 1972)	0.00223
1972	1262 (+139 from 1971)	43 (+6 from 1971)	0.00257
1971	1401 (+298 from 1970)	37 (+11 from 1970)	0.00204
1970	1699 (-419 from 1969)	26 (-12 from 1969)	0.00136
1969	1280 (+415 from 1968)	38 (+16 from 1968)	0.00208
1968	1695 (+212 from 1967)	22 (+5 from 1967)	0.00124
1967	1907 (-222 from 1966)	17 (-4 from 1966)	0.00096
1966	1685 (+233 from 1965)	21 (+4 from 1965)	0.00116
1965	1918 (+196 from 1964)	17 (+2 from 1964)	0.00090
1964	2114 (-567 from 1963)	15 (-11 from 1963)	0.00074
1963	1547 (+121 from 1962)	26 (+3 from 1962)	0.00126
1962	1668 (+654 from 1961)	23 (+10 from 1961)	0.00109
1961	2322 (-201 from 1960)	13 (-2 from 1960)	0.00060
1960	2121 (-314 from 1959)	15 (-5 from 1959)	0.00069
1959	1807 (+564 from 1958)	20 (+8 from 1958)	0.00092
1958	2371 (-181 from 1957)	12 (-2 from 1957)	0.00056
1957	2190 (-425 from 1956)	14 (-6 from 1956)	0.00064
1956	1765 (-40 from 1955)	20 No change from 1955	0.00093
1955	1725 (+389 from 1954)	20 (+6 from 1954)	0.00096
1954	2114 (-76 from 1953)	14 (-1 from 1953)	0.00068
1953	2038 (+338 from 1952)	15 (+4 from 1952)	0.00075
1952	2376 (-538 from 1951)	11 (-6 from 1951)	0.00056
1951	1838 (-23 from 1950)	17 No change from 1950	0.00089
1950	1815 (+987 from 1949)	17 (+9 from 1949)	0.00093
1949	2802 (-584 from 1948)	8 (-4 from 1948)	0.00044
1948	2218 (-368 from 1947)	12 (-5 from 1947)	0.00067
1947	1850 (-208 from 1946)	17 (-2 from 1946)	0.00092
1946	1642 (+751 from 1945)	19 (+10 from 1945)	0.00115
1945	2393 (+240 from 1944)	9 (+1 from 1944)	0.00066
1944	2633 (-356 from 1943)	8 (-3 from 1943)	0.00058
1943	2277 (-479 from 1942)	11 (-5 from 1942)	0.00076
1942	1798 (+858 from 1941)	16 (+8 from 1941)	0.00114
1941	2656 (-575 from 1940)	8 (-4 from 1940)	0.00064
1940	2081 (-202 from 1939)	12 (-2 from 1939)	0.00101
1939	1879 (+306 from 1938)	14 (+3 from 1938)	0.00124
1938	2185 (-429 from 1937)	11 (-5 from 1937)	0.00097
1937	1756 (+306 from 1936)	16 (+4 from 1936)	0.00146
1936	2062 (+467 from 1935)	12 (+3 from 1935)	0.00113
1935	2529 (-137 from 1934)	9 (-1 from 1934)	0.00084
1934	2392 (+876 from 1933)	10 (+4 from 1933)	0.00094
1933	3268 (-803 from 1932)	6 (-4 from 1932)	0.00059
1932	2465 (-364 from 1931)	10 (-3 from 1931)	0.00093
1931	2101 (-22 from 1930)	13 (-1 from 1930)	0.00122
1930	2079 (-767 from 1929)	14 (-15 from 1929)	0.00124
1929	1312 (+736 from 1928)	29 (+14 from 1928)	0.00262
1928	2048 (-580 from 1927)	15 (-11 from 1927)	0.00131
1927	1468 (+378 from 1926)	26 (+8 from 1926)	0.00224
1926	1846 (+347 from 1925)	18 (+4 from 1925)	0.00157
1925	2193 (-616 from 1924)	14 (-10 from 1924)	0.00122
1924	1577 (-219 from 1923)	24 (-5 from 1923)	0.00205
1923	1358 (+525 from 1922)	29 (+11 from 1922)	0.00256
1922	1883 (-374 from 1921)	18 (-7 from 1921)	0.00160
1921	1509 (-127 from 1920)	25 (-3 from 1920)	0.00220
1920	1382 (+26 from 1919)	28 (+2 from 1919)	0.00254
1919	1408 (+497 from 1918)	26 (+9 from 1918)	0.00256
1918	1905 (-872 from 1917)	17 (-23 from 1917)	0.00162
1917	1033 (+426 from 1916)	40 (+17 from 1916)	0.00417
1916	1459 (+323 from 1915)	23 (+7 from 1915)	0.00249
1915	1782 (-522 from 1914)	16 (-6 from 1914)	0.00182
1914	1260 (-87 from 1913)	22 (+3 from 1913)	0.00322
1913	1173 (+95 from 1912)	19 (+5 from 1912)	0.00354
1912	1268 (-75 from 1910)	14 (+6 from 1910)	0.00310
1911	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1910	1193 (-300 from 1909)	8 (-3 from 1909)	0.00384
1909	893 (+307 from 1907)	11 (+5 from 1907)	0.00622
1908	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1907	1200 (-196 from 1906)	6 (-1 from 1906)	0.00378
1906	1004 (+54 from 1901)	7 (+2 from 1901)	0.00486
1905	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1904	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1903	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1902	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1901	1058 (-273 from 1900)	5 (-6 from 1900)	0.00433
1900	785 (+143 from 1899)	11 (+5 from 1899)	0.00678
1899	928 (+28 from 1892)	6 No change from 1892	0.00521
1898	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1897	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1896	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1895	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1894	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1893	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1892	956 (+7 from 1891)	6 (+1 from 1891)	0.00456
1891	963 (-149 from 1890)	5 (-2 from 1890)	0.00458
1890	814 (-260 from 1888)	7 (-6 from 1888)	0.00585
1889	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1888	554 (+125 from 1887)	13 (+5 from 1887)	0.01001
1887	679 (-74 from 1886)	8 (-2 from 1886)	0.00732
1886	605 (-84 from 1885)	10 (-3 from 1885)	0.00840
1885	521 (+142 from 1884)	13 (+4 from 1884)	0.01121
1884	663 (+229 from 1883)	9 (+4 from 1883)	0.00733
1883	892 (-55 from 1882)	5 (-1 from 1882)	0.00445
1882	837 (-131 from 1881)	6 (-1 from 1881)	0.00492
1881	706 (-106 from 1880)	7 (-3 from 1880)	0.00646
1880	600 First SSA data recorded	10 First SSA data recorded	0.00845

American States Popularity Rankings for Gideon

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

#3692021

#4412022

#3622023

California (CA)

#4962021

#5212022

#5112023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#2702021

#2322022

#1972023

Ohio (OH)

#2222021

#2002022

#2172023

New York (NY)

#4202021

#4292022

#5632023

Michigan (MI)

#2062021

#2392022

#2162023

Washington (WA)

#2272021

#2402022

#2182023

Florida (FL)

#3912021

#4782022

#3742023

Indiana (IN)

#2242021

#2312022

#2302023

Virginia (VA)

#2132021

#3312022

#2292023

North Carolina (NC)

#4292021

#2802022

#3502023

Missouri (MO)

#1842021

#2792022

#2512023

Illinois (IL)

#3642021

#3642022

#4192023

Utah (UT)

#1722021

#2572022

#2752023

Tennessee (TN)

#2232021

#2642022

#3572023

Georgia (GA)

#4982021

#4442022

#4012023

Wisconsin (WI)

#1742021

#1952022

#2042023

Minnesota (MN)

#2152021

#3052022

#1992023

Colorado (CO)

#2772021

#3262022

#3902023

Arizona (AZ)

#2672021

#2952022

#3892023

Oregon (OR)

#2312021

#1672022

#2582023

Maryland (MD)

#3092021

#2922022

#4562023

Oklahoma (OK)

#3382021

#2172022

#2672023

Kansas (KS)

#2612021

#2362022

#2672023

Kentucky (KY)

#2912021

#2562022

#4432023

Idaho (ID)

#1512021

#1242022

#1392023

Iowa (IA)

#2462021

#3402022

#4222023

South Carolina (SC)

#2822021

#3112022

#2312023

Alabama (AL)

#4512021

#3782022

#3262023

New Jersey (NJ)

#6542021

#7632022

#6752023

Massachusetts (MA)

#6162021

#4192022

#3822023

Nebraska (NE)

#2412021

#1942022

#2782023

Arkansas (AR)

#3122021

#3412022

#5102023

Alaska (AK)

#1882020

#1922021

#1292023

West Virginia (WV)

#3122021

#1972022

#3162023

Louisiana (LA)

#5462021

#7562022

#2942023

New Mexico (NM)

#2552019

#2712020

#2662023

Nevada (NV)

#4632020

#5372021

#5292023

Maine (ME)

#1962021

#1912022

#1382023

Montana (MT)

#1592018

#1352020

#2032023

Connecticut (CT)

#4922018

#4212020

#3632023

Mississippi (MS)

#4252019

#4922021

#5692023

South Dakota (SD)

#2552017

#932018

#1522019

New Hampshire (NH)

#2012017

#1682020

#2192022

District of Columbia (DC)

#1322019

#2322021

#2082023

North Dakota (ND)

#2322012

#2132019

#2522022

Hawaii (HI)

#2442015

#1662016

#2372017

Wyoming (WY)

#1152016

#872017

Delaware (DE)

#2062013

Vermont (VT)

#1242018

Popularity Rankings for Gideon in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Czechia

Czechia

#1151920

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#3691983

#4961984

#2571987

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#4692021

#3802022

#4452023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#4162017

#3982021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#5002003

#4032005

#6292007

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden

#4792022

#5302023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#7872019

#7962020

#9392021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#9881988

#8471997

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#9992010

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Gideon a Name for Boys or Girls?

Generally, Gideon is given to boys. This name carries a sense of strength and heroism, fitting well with its meaning and historical background.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Gideon

Gedeon
Gidon
Gedeón
Gideone

Gid
Dee
Don
Dino
Geddy
Donnie

Giddy
Ged
Gio
Gee
Gide
Dion

Gideon in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Gideon Welles (U.S. Secretary of the Navy, 1802–1878): The U.S. Navy Secretary during the Civil War who played a significant role in the Union's naval strategy.
Gideon Mantell (Paleontologist, 1790–1852): An English geologist and paleontologist credited with discovering several dinosaur species.
Gideon Levy (Journalist, born 1953): An Israeli journalist and author who writes for the newspaper Haaretz.
Gideon Glick (Actor, born 1988): An American actor known for his performances on Broadway and in television.
Gideon Sundback (Inventor, 1880–1954): A Swedish-American electrical engineer who developed the modern zipper.
Gideon Yago (Journalist, born 1978): An American journalist and former MTV News correspondent.
Gideon Tuba (Activist, 1935–2010): A South African anti-apartheid activist and political leader.

Gideon ("Criminal Minds," 2005 TV Series): A senior FBI profiler who is an expert at understanding the minds of serial killers.
Gideon Graves ("Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," 2010 Film): The main antagonist and leader of the League of Evil Exes.
Gideon Cross ("Crossfire," 2012 Novel Series): A wealthy entrepreneur who falls in love with a troubled young woman.
"Gideon's Sword" (2011 Novel): Follows the adventures of Gideon Crew, a master thief and genius scientist.
Gideon Jura ("Magic: The Gathering," 1993 Card Game): A planeswalker who is known for his combat prowess and protective nature.
"Gideon Falls" (2018 Comic Series): A mysterious figure connected to a haunted rural town and a dark conspiracy.

Gideon City (Missouri, USA): A small city in New Madrid County, Missouri, with a rich agricultural heritage.
Gideon Pond Elementary School (Minnesota, USA): An elementary school located in Burnsville, named after the missionary Gideon Hollister Pond.
Gideon Mountain (North Carolina, USA): A mountain located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Gideon Gardens (London, England): A community garden space located in South London, offering local residents a place to grow plants and vegetables.
Gideon Creek (Alaska, USA): A stream in the state of Alaska that flows into the Yukon River.
Gideon’s Island (Queensland, Australia): An island located in the Great Barrier Reef, offering diverse marine life.
Gideon Orphanage (Lagos, Nigeria): An orphanage providing care and education to children in Lagos.

Sibling Names for Gideon

For a Brother
For a Sister

Parents Who Like the Name Gideon Also Like

With its rich heritage and strong appeal, Gideon is truly distinctive. Let’s talk more about names on my website and see what other gems we can find!

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.

Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

Gideon Name Meaning