Gideon
Gideon Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈɡɪd.i.ən/
Meaning of Gideon: The name Gideon derives from Hebrew Gid'on, generally interpreted to mean "one who cuts down" or "hewer," from the root gada meaning to cut or fell. According to Online Etymology Dictionary, the name appears in the Hebrew Bible as the military commander who led 300 Israelites to victory over the Midianites, establishing it as a name associated with decisive, God-guided action.
In the Book of Judges, Gideon received a divine call to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. According to Britannica, Gideon's victory with 300 men - selected by the method of how they drank water - became one of the Hebrew Bible's most celebrated military narratives. He later ruled Israel as a judge for 40 years.
According to SSA records, Gideon ranked #331 for boys in the most recent annual count, with 1,042 births recorded. The name peaked in 2017 and reflects the sustained American interest in Old Testament names that grew in the 2000s and 2010s, bringing Ezra, Elijah, Asher, and Gideon from primarily religious use into mainstream American naming.
What Does Gideon Mean? Origin & Etymology
The Gideons International, founded in Janesville, Wisconsin in 1899, took its name from the biblical figure. The organization has distributed over 2 billion Bibles in more than 190 countries, making Gideon one of the most globally recognized biblical names outside of formal religious contexts.
The name's balance of biblical weight with approachable sound - two syllables, easy pronunciation - positions it among the Hebrew names that have successfully crossed from religious to mainstream American use. The name complements the broader 2010s wave of Old Testament boy names that combined spiritual gravitas with stylistic accessibility.
How Popular Is Gideon?
Numerology & Symbolism of Gideon
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Gideon – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Gideon
What does the name Gideon mean?
The name Gideon carries roots in Dutch and reflects the naming values of that cultural tradition. The precise meaning connects to concepts meaningful in its source language and culture.
How popular is the name Gideon in the United States?
According to SSA records, Gideon ranked #331 for boy names in the United States, with 1,042 births recorded in the most recent annual count. The name hit its highest SSA rank in 2017. It has held a consistent place in US naming statistics across multiple decades.
Where does the name Gideon come from?
The name Gideon comes from Dutch. It entered English use through the linguistic and cultural channels typical of Dutch-origin names—whether through religious texts, migration, or the prestige associated with classical learning. Today it is recognized as a boy’s name across the English-speaking world.