Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Zebedee

Zebedee

♂ Boy

Pronounced ZEB-ə-dee /ˈzɛb.ə.di/High

Meaning: Gift of Yahweh; Greek form of Hebrew Zebadiah, the Galilean fisherman whose sons James and John became apostlesHigh

In 30 seconds: The fisherman who lent two sons to history: Zebedee — 'gift of Yahweh' — stayed with his nets while James and John followed. A bouncing, Z-led biblical rarity.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighHebrew, Greek
MeaningGift of Yahweh; Greek form of Hebrew Zebadiah, the Galilean fisherman whose sons James and John became apostles
U.S. rank (2025)#5203 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births19 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,275

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419072025

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

Zebedee is the Greek-filtered form of Hebrew Zebadiah, 'Yahweh has given' — the Galilean fisherman whose sons, the apostles James and John, left his boat mid-mend to follow Jesus. The name bounced through English use after the Reformation and acquired a second, springier life via The Magic Roundabout's beloved character.

Today it is a true rarity with growing whimsy-appeal in Britain; American use is nearly nil, making it an adventurous Z-pick with apostolic anchoring and the nickname Zeb at hand.

Did you know? British children know Zebedee as the spring-bodied jack-in-the-box of The Magic Roundabout — 'Time for bed, said Zebedee' closed a generation's evenings.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — Zebedee — etymology

Variations

ZebadiahZebZebedaios

Nicknames

ZebZebby

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Zebedee…

Zacchaeus— a fellow bouncy New Testament rarity
Ezekiel— the Z-led biblical heavyweight of the revival
Zakari— another Hebrew name
Zabdiel— a similarly popular pick
Zekiel— the same biblical feel

Explore names like Zebedee

By themebiblicalwhimsicalrare-revival
By meaningGod / DivineGift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Zebedee mean?

Zebedee is the Greek form of Hebrew Zebadiah, meaning 'gift of Yahweh' — the father of the apostles James and John.

How do you pronounce Zebedee?

It's said ZEB-ə-dee /ˈzɛb.ə.di/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Zebedee a boy or girl name?

Zebedee is a boy's name.

How popular is Zebedee?

Zebedee is a vanishingly rare biblical name in the U.S., with cult charm in Britain.

💬 Ask Nia