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Gideon

♂ Boy

Pronounced GID-ee-un /ˈɡɪd.i.ən/High

Meaning: From the Hebrew Gidon, from 'gada' (to cut down, to hew), meaning 'one who cuts down', 'great warrior', or 'feller of trees'. Borne by a major judge and military hero in the Book of Judges.High

In 30 seconds: Gideon is a powerful biblical Hebrew name meaning 'great warrior' — the judge who led 300 men to defeat an army of thousands. It combines heroic gravitas with a warm, accessible sound.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningFrom the Hebrew Gidon, from 'gada' (to cut down, to hew), meaning 'one who cuts down', 'great warrior', or 'feller of trees'. Borne by a major judge and military hero in the Book of Judges.
U.S. rank (2025)#337 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births993 boys (0.05% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 22,249

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201718802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Gideon is the anglicization of the Hebrew Gidon, derived from gada (to cut down or hew). In the Book of Judges, Gideon (also called Jerubbaal) was an Israelite judge who, despite initial self-doubt, led a force of just 300 men to defeat the Midianite army of 135,000 through cunning strategy and divine intervention. His story is one of the most dramatic military narratives in the Hebrew Bible.

Gideon was popular among Puritan settlers in England and America in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, who favored biblical names with heroic narratives. It remained in use but relatively uncommon through the twentieth century. In the twenty-first century, Gideon has experienced a notable revival, entering the US top 200 boys' names in the 2010s as parents rediscovered strong, distinctive Old Testament names beyond the ubiquitous biblical classics.

Did you know? The Gideons International, the organization famous for placing Bibles in hotel rooms, was founded in 1899 and named after the biblical Gideon because, like his small band defeating a vast army, the founders believed a small group could accomplish great work for God.
Overall data confidence 90%
Strong's Hebrew Concordance — Hebrew root gada and derivation of GidonBook of Judges 6-8, Hebrew Bible — Narrative of Gideon's military campaign

Variations

GidonGedeon

Nicknames

GidGio

Famous Bearers

  • ★Gideon (biblical judge) (c. 1200 BCE)
    Israelite judge and military hero of the Book of Judges, who defeated the Midianites with 300 men.

If you like Gideon…

Ezekiel— three-syllable Old Testament Hebrew name with the same strong warrior and prophet associations
Ezra— short Old Testament Hebrew name with the same scholarly-warrior combination and modern revival appeal
Elias— three-syllable Greek form of Elijah with the same biblical prophet gravitas

Frequently Asked

What does the name Gideon mean?

Gideon means 'one who cuts down' or 'great warrior', from Hebrew gada (to hew or cut), borne by a heroic biblical judge.

How do you pronounce Gideon?

Gideon is pronounced GID-ee-un (/ˈɡɪd.i.ən/), three syllables with stress on the first.

Is Gideon a boy or girl name?

Gideon is a masculine biblical name.

How popular is Gideon?

Gideon entered the US top 200 boys' names in the 2010s, part of a strong Old Testament name revival.