Jehad

♂ Boy

Pronounced jih-HAHD /dʒɪˈhɑːd/Low

Meaning: Jehad is a common transliteration of the Arabic name Jihad, from the root j-h-d, meaning 'to strive,' 'to exert effort' or 'to struggle.' As a personal name it carries the sense of earnest striving and diligence, and it is given as a legitimate boy's name across the Arabic-speaking world.Low

In 30 seconds: Jehad is a spelling of the Arabic name Jihad, from a root meaning 'to strive' or 'to exert effort.' Carried by Arab American families, it stayed rare (said jih-HAHD).

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Origin LowArabic

MeaningJehad is a common transliteration of the Arabic name Jihad, from the root j-h-d, meaning 'to strive,' 'to exert effort' or 'to struggle.' As a personal name it carries the sense of earnest striving and diligence, and it is given as a legitimate boy's name across the Arabic-speaking world.

U.S. rank (2011)#11467 ↗ Rising

2011 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1993

Total births (all-time)≈ 175

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Jehad is one of the standard English spellings of the Arabic given name Jihad, built on the root j-h-d, 'to strive' or 'to exert oneself.' In its personal-name sense it points to inner effort and perseverance, and it has long been a normal name among Arabic-speaking families, who brought it to the United States in the later twentieth century.

It was never common on American records, given to only about fifteen boys a year at its peak around 1993, borne mainly within Arab American communities. A boy named Jehad then is in his early thirties today.

Did you know? The Arabic root behind Jehad, j-h-d, is the same root that gives the everyday word for 'effort' and 'diligence' - the name simply means one who strives or works hard.

Overall data confidence 35%

References - Jehad — Transliteration of Arabic Jihad; root j-h-d 'to strive/exert effort'; legitimate given name; handled neutrally

Variations

JihadGehadJuhad

Nicknames

Jeh

Famous Bearers

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If you like Jehad…

Jihad— the standard spelling of the same Arabic name

Jamal— a like Arabic boy's name

Tariq— another Arabic given name

Rashad— a related Arabic name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jehad mean?

It is a spelling of the Arabic name Jihad, from the root j-h-d, meaning 'to strive' or 'to exert effort.'

How do you pronounce Jehad?

It is said jih-HAHD /dʒɪˈhɑːd/ - two syllables.

Is Jehad a boy or girl name?

Jehad is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Jehad?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about fifteen boys a year at its peak in the early nineteen-nineties.