Gideon

At a Glance

Meaning

Hewer, feller (one who cuts down trees)

Origin

Hebrew

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

GID-ee-unListen

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

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.

Names Like Gideon

These names share Gideon’s style, era or origin.

• Abel
• Abraham
• Adam
• Aron
• Aziel
• Baruch

FAQ

What does the name Gideon mean?

Hewer, feller (one who cuts down trees). (Source: Wiktionary)

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.)

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.