Jesse

יִשַׁי

• Gender: Unisex
• Origin: Biblical English
• Meaning: God's gift

• In the Torah, Jesse, or Yishai, was the father of King David, making him a pivotal figure in one of the most important lineages in all of Jewish history. That is some serious ancestry for a name that also manages to sound like it belongs on a laid-back kid with a guitar. The contrast between its deep biblical roots and its easygoing American vibe is exactly what makes Jesse so appealing.

  Actor and filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg, who earned an Oscar nomination for his deeply Jewish film A Real Pain about two cousins visiting their grandmother's homeland in Poland, has made the name synonymous with smart, creative energy. Jesse has a warm, open sound that feels approachable and adventurous all at once. Its gender-neutral appeal is a bonus for modern parents, and the direct link to King David's lineage gives it serious Jewish credibility. There is a reason this name keeps showing up on singer-songwriters and free spirits — it has a rock-and-roll soul with a royal bloodline.

• Hebrew Equivalent:
  Yishai
• Potential Sibling Name:
  Elisa
  ,
  Michaela
  ,
  Jonas
  ,
  Tobi
• Theme: blessing