Jubilee candlesIt’s a joyous word name rich with meaning.

Thanks to phancymama for suggesting Jubilee as our Baby Name of the Day.

Jubilee strikes me as gender neutral.  The name reminds me of Jubal, an Old Testament name from a Hebrew word for river or stream.

But Jubilee reads feminine in 2013, thanks to reality television’s Duggar family.  Matriarch Michelle miscarried late in 2011.  The family opted to announce a name and hold a memorial service for their lost daughter, Jubilee Shalom.

They weren’t the first to consider the name.  It’s been gaining ground since the 1970s, and 103 girls received the name in 2011.  Some may come from backgrounds similar to the Duggars.  Doug Philips leads an evangelical Christian organization and is father to eight children: Joshua, Justice, LibertyJubilee, Faith, Honor, Providence, and Virginia Hope.

The name isn’t exclusively religious.  It comes from the Hebrew yobhel – originally a reference to a ram’s horn used to trumpet in celebration.  The Latin jubilare means to shout with joy.  Originally it wasn’t a party so much as a moment of generosity or forgiveness.  The Torah tells us they occur every 49 or 50 years.  Slaves are emancipated and property returned.

Whisper it down the alley to the Old French jubille and it referred not to the instrument or the act of proclaiming, but to the happy event itself.

Modern uses include:

  • In the fourteenth century, Pope Boniface VIII extended the idea of jubilee years to what would become the Catholic church.  The schedule for jubilee years was imprecise, but in 2000, Pope John Paul II declared the Great Jubilee, calling on the church to prepare for the new millennium.
  • The idea was embraced in some secular circles, with Jubilee 2000 addressing poverty in the developing world.
  • We still associate jubilee most strongly with fifty years – a golden jubilee.  Silver jubilees – twenty-five years – are also celebrated by priests and others in religious life, as well as monarchs.
  • Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 marked the sixtieth year of her reign.

There are fictional uses, too:

  • There’s a character called Jubilation Lee – known as Jubilee – in the X-Men universe.  She’s called Jubilee.  The character was introduced in 1989, and while she’s been a relatively minor character, she’s not unknown.  Jubilee appears in several film adaptations as well as comics and spin-off novels.
  • Maureen Johnson has penned quite a bit of young adult fiction, including a story called “The Jubilee Express.”  Her character’s name is Jubilee, but she prefers to answer to Julie instead.

Jubilee has musical overtones.  African American folk songs and spirituals are sometimes referred to as jubilees.

There’s also a Moss Hart/Cole Porter musical from 1935 called Jubilee.  It was a big hit on Broadway, and songs like “Begin the Beguine” became staples.  The story was inspired by King George V’s silver jubilee, though all of the characters – and the country – were fictional, and none of them were named Jubilee.  Despite the show’s success, the original arrangements are lost and it has become a rarity.  Still, I think it lends the name a sort of vintage charm.

Travel to Las Vegas, and there’s a very difference sense to the word.  Bally’s has hosted a traditional Vegas revue called Jubilee! since 1981.  It’s not exactly risque by 2013 standards, but it is very different from the heavily religious meaning others have embraced.

All together, Jubilee is a daring word name that could wear well, with possible nicknames like Julie, Jules, and Billie.  If you’re after an attention-grabbing name with an upbeat meaning and sound, Jubilee works.

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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9 Comments

  1. I have a 6.5 year old Jubilee…and she is her name. Her siblings are Titus, Mira, and Soleil. She is kind and gracious…sprinkling genuine love and joy wherever she goes.

  2. So glad to read this post…I have a mercy and hope, and a son named courage…and jubilee is top for our baby on the way. I loved reading the responses…Thanks for writing them.

  3. My name is Jubilee. I’m constantly torn between being thrilled at meeting new little Jubilee’s and wanting to safeguard my legacy. Almost twenty now and glad to see it catching on 😀

  4. Jubilee is the favorite name of a dear friend, so I think of her and her great personality whenever I hear it. 🙂 I never thought of nns before, but Libby could work.

  5. Before the Duggars used Jubilee, I would have just thought of parties and anniversaries ala Gala or Holiday! But now, I’m getting wrapped up in my thoughts about the church of my childhood and my personal prejudices against the style of names favored by its members. I still think the name is cute, but I’d be really surprised to met a little Jubilee who wasn’t an Evangelical.

  6. I never considered this as a name until the Duggers used it, but I really do like it a lot. It does have too many religious overtones for my taste, but I would love to see more Jubilee’s on the playground. When I first heard it, it reminded me of Novalee Nation, Natalie Portman’s character in Where the Heart Is. I really think its a lovely joyous name that may be getting more clout these days.

  7. I have a daughter, Mercy. I think Jubilee would be a good sister for her. Another similar name I heard not too long ago is Galilee.

    1. I have a Mercy and a Jubilee! Jubilee is my husband’s favorite girl name. I think it is beautiful but a little long for me to say the 100 times a day that I do. 🙂 However, the name is a perfect fit for her; I cannot convey the depth of restoration and joy God has gifted me with through this awesome little lady. 🙂