Jehu

♂ Boy

Pronounced JEE-hyoo /ˈdʒi.hju/High

Meaning: Yahweh is he; the king of Israel famed for driving his chariot 'furiously' in the book of KingsHigh

In 30 seconds: The Bible's original speed demon: Jehu — 'Yahweh is he' — drove his chariot so hard that for centuries his name meant a reckless driver. Scripture with a tachometer.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningYahweh is he; the king of Israel famed for driving his chariot 'furiously' in the book of Kings

U.S. rank (2024)#3349 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births35 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,028

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Jehu is Hebrew 'Yahweh is he', the army commander anointed at Elisha's order who seized Israel's throne in a storm of wheels — the watchman's report, 'he driveth furiously', made his name English slang for a fast driver well into the stagecoach era. He is also among the few Israelite kings pictured in surviving Assyrian art, bowing on the Black Obelisk.

Puritans used the name sparingly; today it is a true rarity with vintage-engine charm. A name for families who like their scripture at full gallop.

Did you know? For two hundred years of English, calling a coachman 'a regular Jehu' meant he drove like a maniac — the king's chariot style became a dictionary entry.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Jehu — etymology

Variations

YehuJehuu

Nicknames

Jay

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Jehu…

Jethro— a fellow gruff Old Testament revival

Amos— the compact prophet name of the same shelf

Boaz— another bold biblical rarity

Hazael— the rival king from the very same chapters

Browse the whole category: All Hebrew names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jehu mean?

Jehu is Hebrew for 'Yahweh is he', the name of Israel's famously fast-driving king.

How do you pronounce Jehu?

It's said JEE-hyoo /ˈdʒi.hju/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Jehu a boy or girl name?

Jehu is a boy's name.

How popular is Jehu?

Jehu is a vanishingly rare biblical name in the U.S.