How Many People Are Named Jesse?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Jesse

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 38,860 living people in the United States currently have the first name Jesse. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 51,262 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #56 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~38,860CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)51,262Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#56U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1966 (1,116 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~38,860
Historical Births (SSA)
51,262
All-Time Rank
#56
Historical Peak
1966

Key Insights for Jesse

Estimated Living Bearers
~38,860 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#56
Top 100 All-Time Classic
Historical Peak Year
1966
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
95.2% Male · 4.8% Female
Recent 10-Year Trajectory
Softening (-26%)
2015–2024 SSA birth registration trend
Largest Estimated Population
California
~4,858 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Jesse

Living Population Model
~38,860

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
51,262

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
44,444

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
52.3 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1966

Highest annual total: 1,116 registrations in 1966.

Recent 10-Year Trend
declining (-26%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Between 2015 and 2024, Jesse has experienced a 26% softening in annual newborn registrations from preceding decades.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Jesse (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1966 (~1,116 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201078780
201171710
201265650
201360600
201455550
201550500
201647470
201744440
201841410
201939390
202036360
202134340
202233330
202331310
202430300

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
49/100
1950s
81/100
1960s
98/100
1970s
88/100
1980s
59/100
1990s
29/100
2000s
13/100
2010s
5/100
2020s
1/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Jesse is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (95.2% male births).

Male: 95.2% (~48,785 births)Female: 4.8% (~2,477 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Jesse

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Jesse in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Jesse appeared 44,444 times, ranking #261 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
44,444 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#261
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Jesse Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~4,858 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~4,85812.5%
Texas (TX)~3,5759.2%
Florida (FL)~2,6426.8%
New York (NY)~2,3706.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~1,5544%
Illinois (IL)~1,5163.9%
Ohio (OH)~1,3993.6%
Georgia (GA)~1,2823.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 38,860 people named Jesse are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 52.3 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Jesse: 52.3 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

Explore all variants →

Frequently Asked Questions About Jesse

How many people in the U.S. are named Jesse?

Approximately 38,860 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Jesse. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 51,262 birth applications for Jesse between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Jesse?

Jesse ranks #56 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This puts Jesse among the 100 most common first names in American history.

When was the name Jesse most popular in America?

The name Jesse reached its peak historical popularity in 1966, when 1,116 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Jesse?

Jesse has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Jesse?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Jesse is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (95.2% male births).

Where is the name Jesse most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Jesse resides in California, with approximately 4,858 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Jesse in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Jesse appeared 44,444 times in census returns, ranking #261 in official 2020 returns.

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