Zebedee

English variation of Hebrew Zebediah

"gift of God"

Zebedee Origin and Meaning

The name Zebedee is a boy's name meaning "gift of God".

Zebedee is an adorable and unusual New Testament name--which may sound like but is not a contradiction in terms. Unlike some of the longer biblical Z-names, Zebedee has a more lighthearted usability, with its gleeful ee-ending. And Zeb makes a fabulous nickname.

In the New Testament, Zebedee plays the major role of the fisherman father of two disciples, James and John, and was with his sons mending his fishing nets when they were called by Christ.

The name was popularized in the U.K. by a jack-in-the-box puppet named Zebedee on an early kids' TV show, The Magic Roundabout.

Zebedee Jones is a contemporary British painter.

Zebedee Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 654 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Zebedee

• 654 Nameberry 2025

20 Names Similar to Zebedee

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Zebedee.

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Famous People Named Zebedee

• Zebedee Biblical father of James and John
• Zebedee "Zeb" Soanes English radio presenter
• Zebedee E. Cliff American architect
• Zebedee Coltrin American Mormon leader
• Zebedee Jones English painter
• Zebedee B. Armstrong American calendar artist

The name Zebedee in Pop Culture

• Zebedee Tugwell character in "Springhaven" by R.D. Blackmore
• Zebedee character in British children's series "TUGS"
• Zebedee jack,in,the,box in British series "The Magic Roundabout" ("Doogal" in the U.S.)