Zebedee
Ultimately from Ancient Greek Ζεβεδαῖος (Zebedaîos), from Hebrew זְבַדְיָה (Zəḇaḏyâ), from זַבְדִּי (zab̲dî, “my gift”).
Every Zebedee since 1907 — 1,276 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Zebedee
Zebedee is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,203 in 2025 with 19 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1907, 1,276 American babies have been named Zebedee. Its peak came in 2024, when 38 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Zebedee stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Zebedee year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | #5,203 |
| 2024 | 38 | #3,213 |
| 2023 | 34 | #3,473 |
| 2022 | 21 | #4,846 |
| 2021 | 9 | #8,818 |
| 2020 | 14 | #6,291 |
| 2019 | 13 | #6,769 |
| 2018 | 10 | #8,146 |
| 2017 | 8 | #9,682 |
| 2016 | 10 | #8,144 |
| 2015 | 11 | #7,484 |
| 2014 | 8 | #9,630 |
| 2013 | 10 | #8,112 |
| 2012 | 6 | #12,258 |
| 2011 | 7 | #10,787 |
| 2010 | 8 | #9,681 |
| 2009 | 7 | #10,972 |
| 2008 | 8 | #9,860 |
| 2007 | 10 | #8,164 |
| 2006 | 8 | #9,580 |
| 2005 | 7 | #10,137 |
| 2004 | 11 | #6,969 |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | 10 | #7,045 |
| 2001 | 11 | #6,441 |
| 2000 | 15 | #5,039 |
| 1995 | 8 | #6,989 |
| 1990 | 9 | #5,817 |
| 1985 | 10 | #4,331 |
| 1980 | 9 | #4,491 |
| 1975 | 10 | #3,657 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 6 | #3,928 |
| 1960 | 15 | #2,209 |
| 1955 | 19 | #1,844 |
| 1950 | 21 | #1,656 |
| 1945 | 6 | #3,337 |
| 1940 | 7 | #3,128 |
| 1935 | 12 | #2,245 |
| 1930 | 9 | #3,019 |
| 1925 | 10 | #2,935 |
| 1920 | 13 | #2,456 |
| 1915 | 6 | #3,823 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zebedee mean?
Ultimately from Ancient Greek Ζεβεδαῖος (Zebedaîos), from Hebrew זְבַדְיָה (Zəḇaḏyâ), from זַבְדִּי (zab̲dî, “my gift”).
How popular is the name Zebedee in 2025?
Zebedee ranked #5,203 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 19 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Zebedee?
1,276 babies have been named Zebedee in the United States since 1907, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Zebedee most popular?
Zebedee peaked in 2024, when 38 newborns received the name.
Is Zebedee a boy or girl name?
Zebedee is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Zebedee rising or falling?
Zebedee is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.