Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Gideon

      Origin

      Hebrew

      Meaning

      Woodsman

      Variations

      Gidean, Aideen, Eideen
      The name Gideon traces its origins back to the Hebrew language and holds the meaning of Woodsman. This etymology possibly stems from the Hebrew word gada, which refers to hewing or cutting down trees. In biblical times, Gideon was a prominent figure, depicted as a valiant warrior and judge in the Book of Judges. He led a victorious battle against the Midianites with only three hundred men, showcasing his resourcefulness and bravery.

      Throughout history, the name Gideon has maintained its significance. In different cultures and languages, its variants and derivatives have emerged, including Gedaliah, Gidon, and Gedeone. Gideon also appears in modern-day usage, symbolizing strength and courage. It is commonly adopted as a first name, and individuals bearing this name often inherit the virtuous qualities associated with the biblical figure. The name Gideon has extended its influence beyond personal identification, appearing in several institutions and entities. Notably, the Gideons International is an organization that distributes Bibles to hotels and other locations, originating from the association of their mission with the Gideon of biblical history. The name Gideon continues to carry a rich cultural and historical connotation, maintaining its popularity as a timeless and meaningful choice for parents.

      Based on our records...

      Smith

      Smith

      This is the most common surname associated with Gideon.
      Mary

      Mary

      This is the most common name of those married to a Gideon.
      Gideon

      Gideon

      This is the most common name for a child of a Gideon.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1820 is when there were the most people born with the first name Gideon.

      Explore the origins of another name.