Gideon

Gideon

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Table of Contents
1. Gideon name meaning and origin
2. Gideon name popularity
3. Gideon in Popular Culture: Characters in Fiction
4. Celebrities with the Name Gideon
5. Variations and nicknames of Gideon
6. Best name combinations with Gideon
7. Numerology of Gideon name
8. Names similar to Gideon

1. Gideon name meaning and origin

The name Gideon derives from the Hebrew name Gid'on (גִּדְעוֹן), which means 'feller' or 'hewer,' or from its most popular meaning, 'one who cuts down'. This powerful name carries connotations of strength and decisiveness, reflecting its biblical origins. In the Old Testament, Gideon was a military leader, judge, and prophet chosen by God who led the Israelites in victory against the Midianites. Despite his initial doubts, he demonstrated humility, faith, and courage, leading his small force to victory against overwhelming odds.

Gideon has maintained its place in naming traditions across centuries, particularly in Christian communities where biblical names hold significant cultural value. The character of Gideon in scripture is remembered for his humility and faith, being called upon by God despite his own doubts about his capabilities. This narrative has contributed to the name's enduring appeal, representing courage, faith, and leadership. While Gideon is primarily used as a masculine given name, it has also occasionally appeared as a surname. This usage is most common in English-speaking countries.

Gideon

2. Gideon name popularity

Girl
Boy
#0
in 2023
0
from 2022
Popularity of Gideon
United States
United Kingdom

Gideon is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "hewer" or "feller of trees." It gained prominence through the biblical figure Gideon, who was a military leader and judge of Israel, known for leading a small army to victory through divine guidance. The name carries strong connotations of leadership and faith.

While traditionally a masculine name in both the United States and United Kingdom, Gideon has maintained a steady presence in English-speaking countries. Though not typically among the most popular names, it has attracted parents seeking a distinctive biblical name with historical gravitas. The name has a dignified quality that bridges ancient tradition with contemporary use.

3. Gideon in Popular Culture: Characters in Fiction

The name Gideon has been used in various forms of fiction, both in classic literature and present media. A list of some prominent characters bearing the name in fictional works is listed below.

Literature:

  • Gideon Graves - The main antagonist in the comic book series Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O'Malley. He is the final of Ramona's seven evil exes whom Scott must defeat.
  • Gideon Nav - He is the protagonist of the science fantasy novel “Gideon the Ninth” (2019) written by Tamsyn Muir

Films and Television:

  • Gideon Graves - He antagonist in the film Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. He is the leader of the league of Evil Exes and the final opponent that Scott must defeat.
  • Gideon Gleeful - A character from Disney's animated series Gravity Falls. He is a charismatic child psychic and a major antagonist to the Pines family.
  • Gideon - The bumbling, silent cat and sidekick to the cunning fox "Honest John" in Disney's classic animated film, “Pinocchio”.
  • Gideon Goddard - A character from the series, “Mr. Robot”. He is the CEO of the cybersecurity company, Allsafe, where the protagonist works.
  • Gideon Gold - He is a character from the ABC series “Once Upon a Time”. He is also known by his alias, the Black Fairy's "Champion."

Video Games:

  • Gideon Jura - A planeswalker and character in the video game versions of “Magic: The Gathering”, such as “Magic: The Gathering Arena”.

4. Celebrities with the Name Gideon

Aside from fiction, the name Gideon has also been carried by real-life figures in entertainment, sports, and music. From actors to athletes, these celebrities have helped keep the name visible in popular culture.

Historical Figures:

  • Gideon Sundback

He is an American-Swedish electrical engineer known for developing the modern zipper. His work in the early 20th century made the zipper practical and commercially successful.

  • Gideon Mantell

He is an English geologist and palaeontologist. He is known for the discovery and identification of the first known dinosaur teeth.

  • Gideon Granger

An American politician and lawyer who served as the United States Postmaster General under Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

Contemporary Celebrities:

  • Gideon Emery

He is an American actor widely known for his Deucalion in Teen Wolf. He also had voice work in famous video games like “Dragon Age" and “Final Fantasy" series.

  • Gideon Raff

A film and television director, screenwriter, and writer from Israel. He is known for his television series “Prisoners of War”.

  • Gideon Yu

An American technology and sports investor. He is also the former Chief Financial Officer of both Facebook and YouTube.

  • Gideon Levy

A journalist and author from Israel. He is a well-known opinion columnist for the newspaper “Haaretz”, often writing on the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

  • Gideon Glick

An American stage and screen actor. He is known for his roles on Broadway in shows like Spring Awakening and for his film appearances, including Marriage Story and Ocean's 8.

  • Gideon Sa'ar

He is a Politician from Israel and now serving their country’s Foreign Minister. 

5. Variations and nicknames of Gideon

The name Gideon, with Hebrew origins meaning 'mighty warrior' or 'feller of trees,' has traveled across cultures and centuries, adapting into various forms while maintaining its strong, dignified essence. In its journey through different languages, Gideon has evolved into variants like Gedeon in French and Czech, Gedeone in Italian, and Gedeón in Spanish. Germanic languages remain Gideon or Gedeon., The biblical significance of the name has helped preserve traditional forms such as Gidon in modern Hebrew and Jideonas in Lithuanian. Additionally, less common variants include Gidean, Gideo, and the more elaborate Gideonius, which appeared occasionally in historical Latin texts.

As with many traditional names, Gideon has generated several affectionate nicknames and diminutives used by family and friends. The most common shortened forms include Gid, Giddy, and Deon, with Gid being especially popular for its simplicity and strength. Children named Gideon might be called Giddy-up playfully by parents, while Geo and Eon serve as more modern, streamlined options. Some families opt for G or GG as ultra-short nicknames, particularly during childhood. The middle portion of the name has given rise to alternatives like IDeon, though these remain relatively uncommon. In professional settings, the full Gideon is typically preferred for its distinguished sound and historical gravitas, with nickname usage generally reserved for casual and intimate circles.

6. Best name combinations with Gideon

names that pair well with Gideon:

  • Gideon Alexander
  • Gideon Adler
  • Gideon Aden
  • Gideon Charles
  • Gideon Abel
  • Gideon Austine
  • Gideon Leonardo
  • Gideon Nathaniel
  • Gideon Ezekiel
  • Gideon Fredrick
  • Gideon Samuel
  • Gideon Jackson
  • Gideon Vincent
  • Gideon Williams
  • Gideon Levi
  • Gideon Amir
  • Gideon Ryan
  • Gideon Matthew
  • Jacob Gideon
  • Lawrence Gideon
  • Andy Gideon
  • Joe Gideon
  • Wilson Gideon
  • Walter Gideon
  • Maxwell Gideon
  • Joshua Gideon
  • Robinson Gideon
  • Adam Gideon
  • Nathan Gideon
  • Maurice Gideon
  • Samuel Gideon
  • Justin Gideon
  • Williams Gideon
  • Elvis Gideon
  • Oscar Gideon
  • Peter Gideon

7. Numerology of Gideon name

G = 7, I = 9, D = 4, E = 5, O = 6, N = 5

Destiny Number (Expression Number):

36/9
This number reveals your life path and inherent capabilities. With a 9, you are humanitarian, compassionate, and creative. You're meant to serve others and make a difference in the world. Careers in teaching, counseling, art, or philanthropy would suit you well. You have strong leadership abilities but must learn to let go of material attachments.

Soul Urge Number (Heart's Desire):

20/2
This represents your inner cravings and motivations. Number 2 indicates you deeply desire harmony, cooperation, and meaningful relationships. You're diplomatic and make an excellent mediator. You seek balance in partnerships and thrive in collaborative environments. Careers involving teamwork or counseling align with your inner nature.

Personality Number:

16/7
This shows how others perceive you. Number 7 suggests people see you as intellectual, analytical, and somewhat mysterious. You appear wise and spiritually oriented. Others come to you for advice and value your insights. Best suited for careers requiring research, analysis, or spiritual guidance. In relationships, you may seem reserved until trust is established.

Note: This numerology analysis is just for fun and entertainment purposes. It is not meant to be taken seriously or as a reflection of one’s true personality or destiny. No offense is intended.

8. Names similar to Gideon

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Jaime Babiera

Jaime Babiera is a team leader at Infinity Web Solutions. As a former research intern at Rappler and contributor of op-ed pieces to the Daily Guardian, he developed expertise in rigorous information verification and published substantive editorial outputs driven by professional integrity and factual accuracy. His body of work reflects a strong commitment to truth, transparency, and excellence, ensuring every piece he releases or project he leads is reliable and compelling.