Given name & surname
Gideon
“one who cuts down”·“a mighty warrior; one who fells trees”
Gideon is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “one who cuts down” (Hebrew) and “a mighty warrior; one who fells trees” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Original Hebrewגדעון
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “one who cuts down” (Hebrew) and “a mighty warrior; one who fells trees” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Hebrew.
The story
In biblical tradition, Gideon is the name of an Israelite leader appointed to deliver his people from the Midianites.
In the Bible
In the Bible, the name Gideon appears in Genesis 14:14, Hebrews 11:32.
- Genesis 14:14
- Hebrews 11:32
From biblical name research
Gideon through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 22,302
- 22,270 boys · 32 girls
- Most popular year
- 2017
- 1,161 babies
- 2025
- 993
- #337 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −3%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 993 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 337 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 3.2% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 1,161 in 2017. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (103). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 15,597 as a first name in 2020; 4,023 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Gideon’s family of names
Gideon has a later derivative in Gedeon. In German usage, Gideon has a related form in Gidon. In German usage, Gideon has a related form in Gedeon.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Gideon has relatives in 18 languages. Lines run from its Hebrew roots to each of them.
18 related names in 18 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 15
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 15
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Gideon
- Gideon SundbackSwedish-American inventor (1880-1954)
- Gideon MantellBritish scientist and obstetrician (1790–1852)
- Duma BokoPresident of Botswanaborn 1969
- Gideon Mensahassociation football playerborn 1998
- Gideon Sa'arIsraeli politicianborn 1966
- Gideon StåhlbergSwedish chess player (1908–1967)
- Gideon LevyIsraeli journalistborn 1953
- Gideon AdlonAmerican actressborn 1997
- Gideon WellesAmerican government official; United States Secretary of the Navy from 1861 to 1869 (1802–1878)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
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