Jed is an English short form of the name Jedidiah. Its roots lie in the Hebrew name Yedidyah (יְדִידְיָה), which means "beloved of Yahweh," combining the elements yaḏiḏ ("beloved, friend") and yah (referring to the Hebrew God). In the Old Testament, according to 2 Samuel 12:25, the prophet Nathan gave the name Jedidiah to Solomon as a sign of God's favor, and Jed emerged as an English diminutive over time. Popularity and Usage Jed functions both as a given name and a nickname for Jedediah or Jedidiah. It gained some popularity in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, where it is often associated with rustic or pioneer imagery. However, it has remained relatively uncommon, achieving modest usage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries before declining. Notable Bearers Notable individuals named Jed span various fields. In politics, Jed Johnson (1888–1963) served as a U.S. Representative from Oklahoma, and his son, Jed Johnson, Jr. (1939–1993), also held the same office. Jed Lipsky is a Vermont politician. In sports, the name appears in multiple arenas: Jed Adcock (born 1985), Jed Anderson (born 1994), and Jed Bews (born 1993) are Australian rules footballers; Jed Brown (born 1991) plays rugby union for New Zealand; Jed Collins (born 1986) was an NFL fullback; Jed Graef (born 1942) won an Olympic gold medal in swimming; Jed Hansen (born 1972) played Major League Baseball; and Jed Hoyer (born 1973) is the general manager of the Chicago Cubs. Jed Holloway is an Australian rugby union player. Cultural Significance Due to its Old Testament origin, Jed carries a subtle religious undertone, though it is not exclusively used by religious families. It has also appeared in popular culture, such as on the television show The Beverly Hillbillies, whose main character Jethro went by the nickname Jed. Meaning: "Beloved of Yahweh" Origin: Hebrew, via the English diminutive of Jedidiah Type: Short form Usage regions: English