Meaning, origin, history
Zedekiah is a unique and uncommon male given name of Hebrew origin. Its meaning and pronunciation can vary depending on the source.
The name Zedekiah is derived from two Hebrew elements: "zedek" which means "justice" or "righteousness," and "yah" which is a shortened form of "Yahweh," one of the names of God in the Hebrew Bible. Therefore, Zedekiah can be interpreted to mean "Yahweh is just" or "Yahweh has justified."
In the Bible, Zedekiah appears as the name of several individuals, most notably King Zedekiah (also known as Mattaniah) who ruled over Judah during the time of the Babylonian captivity. He was the last king of Judah before Nebuchadnezzar II conquered Jerusalem and took Zedekiah captive in 587 BCE.
Throughout history, the name Zedekiah has been associated with royalty and leadership due to its biblical context. However, it is important to note that while Zedekiah is a historically significant name, its use as a given name remains relatively rare today.
In terms of pronunciation, Zedekiah can be sounded out as /ˌzɛdɪˈkaɪə/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), with stress on the second syllable. However, variations may exist depending on language and cultural influences.
As a given name, Zedekiah offers parents an opportunity to choose a unique and meaningful moniker for their child, with deep historical roots and a profound meaning rooted in ancient Hebrew culture.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Zedekiah since 1880
Total births
675
Total since 1880
Peak year
2019
43 births
in 2023
31
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+46%
↗
vs previous 5 years