This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance: Name: Gideon – Meaning: hewer, feller (one who cuts down trees) – Origin: Hebrew – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: GID-ee-un
Gideon is a boy's name of Hebrew origin, pronounced GID-ee-un, and it has a timeless, classic style. You may have heard that Gideon means 'mighty warrior' or 'great destroyer' — that's actually an extended meaning tied to the biblical Gideon's role as a warrior-judge, not the word's root. The Hebrew itself literally means 'hewer' or 'feller,' as in one who cuts down trees.
Meaning & Origin of Gideon
Meaning: Hewer, feller (one who cuts down trees).
Origin: Hebrew.
A common claim: Gideon is widely said to mean 'mighty warrior' or 'great destroyer.' Actually: That's an extended meaning drawn from the biblical Gideon's role as a warrior-judge, not the literal root — the Hebrew itself points to 'hewer/feller of trees.'
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Gideon
Phonetic: GID-ee-un IPA: /ˈɡɪdiən/
Popularity of Gideon
Gideon has been tracked in Social Security data since 1880, and it hit its peak popularity in 2017 at #304 with 1,161 babies given the name that year. By 2024, it had settled to #331 with 1,042 babies — a modest dip from its peak but still a name in steady use.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.
Make Gideon Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Gideon, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Gideon mean?
Hewer, feller (one who cuts down trees). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Gideon)
How do you pronounce Gideon?
Gideon is pronounced GID-ee-un (IPA: /ˈɡɪdiən/).
Is Gideon a popular name right now?
Gideon is near its all-time peak (#304 in 2017), ranked #331 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
📊 How popular is Gideon? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
🎨 Get Printable Name Art for Gideon
Beautiful nursery-ready 8×10" print with name & meaning
Preview & Download →More Baby Name Inspiration
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →
