What does Gedalya mean and where does it come from?
Gedalya (גדליה) is a traditional Hebrew name meaning 'God is great.' It is rooted in biblical history, with several prominent figures named Gedalya mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, who served as governor of Judah. The name has a strong presence in Jewish comm
Cultural significance
Gedalya has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Hebrew-speaking communities, where it reflects values of god is great.
Peak popularity
Reached #5950 in 2025 — currently #5950 in the US.
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Related Reading
Hebrew-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Gedalya?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Gedalya?
Gedalya works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Gedalya Jack
One syllable · timeless choice
Gedalya John
One syllable · timeless choice
Gedalya Miles
One syllable · vintage charm
Gedalya Brooks
One syllable · timeless choice
Gedalya Quinn
One syllable · timeless choice
Gedalya Dean
One syllable · on the rise
How popular is Gedalya right now?
Rising fast — up 2001 spots — currently #5950 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2025 | #5950 | 15 | ▲ up 2001 · +50% births |
| 2024 | #7951 | 10 | ▼ down 2423 · -41% births |
| 2023 | #5528 | 17 | ▼ down 252 · -6% births |
| 2022 | #5276 | 18 | ▲ up 855 · +29% births |
| 2021 | #6131 | 14 | ▲ up 3118 · +75% births |
| 2015 | #9249 | 8 | ▼ down 1809 · -27% births |
| 2010 | #7440 | 11 | ▲ up 2427 · +57% births |
| 2005 | #9867 | 7 | ▲ up 1809 · +40% births |
| 2000 | #11676 | 5 | — |
The story of Gedalya
Gedalya is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1999. With 127 total births recorded, Gedalya remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #11676 in 2000 to #5528 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Gedalya in 2025:
Gedalya by decade
Gedalya peaked in the 2020s. See all 2020s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1990s | 6 | |
| 2000s | 43 | |
| 2010s ★ | 78 | |
| 2020s | 25 | |
💎Gedalya has only 127 total recorded births since 1999 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Gedalya?
Famous people named Gedalya
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Gedalya (historical figure)
Gedalya bore this name in the Biblical tradition, reflecting its deep roots in Hebrew scripture and culture.
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Celebrity Names
What celebrities named their babies in 2025
Explore →What names sound and feel like Gedalya?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Gedalya also consider these
Common questions about the name Gedalya
What does the name Gedalya mean?
Gedalya means "God is great" — a name rooted in Hebrew tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Gedalya?
Gedalya is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Gedalya have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Gedalya?
Gedalya originates from Hebrew tradition. Hebrew names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Gedalya?
Gedalya is a four-syllable name pronounced GED-ALY-AH. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Gedalya?
Gedalya pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Hebrew heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.