Jesse is a popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #64 in 2021 with 929 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2025 with 980 births ranking #51. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 477.0%. In 2021, approximately 1 in every 318 boys born was named Jesse. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Jesse is a Hebrew biblical name usually explained as meaning "gift". It has a warm, friendly sound and has stayed comfortably familiar for generations.
The name is known from the father of King David in the Bible and later became an enduring choice in English-speaking naming. It feels scriptural without sounding formal or weighty.