Baby Name of the Day: Jethro

The baby name Jethro has always been familiar, but seldom used as a given name. But in 2025, this Old Testament rarity returned to the US Top 1000 for the first time in over a century.

Thanks to Paul for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES THE NAME JETHRO MEAN?

Biblical names have been favorites for ages, even fairly obscure ones. During the Protestant Revolution, parents eschewed saints’ names in favor of ones taken directly from the Bible. 

Jethro was, indeed, a priest and prophet. He’s also Moses’ father-in-law, the father of Zipporah. A Midianite priest, he gave Moses shelter when he first fled Egypt. 

It ultimately comes from a Hebrew word meaning abundance, and the Hebrew name Yitro or Yithro.  

THE TWO JETHRO TULLS

No surprise, then, that we find a number of Jethros across the centuries. 

During the 18th century, British innovator Jethro Tull pioneered new agricultural techniques, ones that ultimately supported the Agricultural Revolution. 

His contributions were incredibly significant, supporting a growing population in England and Wales, while also freeing up more workers to move into cities to pursue jobs. That fostered the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. 

Still, his name might’ve been a footnote if not for Ian Anderson, Jeffrey Hammond, and John Evan. The three were classmates in Blackpool during the 1960s. Inspired by the Beatles, they formed a band and starting playing the London club circuit. After multiple name changes, a booking agent randomly signed them up as Jethro Tull. They were playing under the historical figure’s name when they got their big break.

The rest is rock and roll history. 

JETHRO ON THE SMALL SCREEN

The name would’ve been obscure in the United States circa 1962.

That’s when CBS debuted the sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies. Unsophisticated widower Jed Clampett is living in the Ozark Mountains when he strikes oil. He sells his land for millions and is persuaded to pack up and move to California. Jed takes his abrasive mother-in-law, known as Granny; his beautiful daughter, Elly May; and his dim-witted but cheerful nephew Jethro.

The show ran from 1962 until 1971. Reunions followed, as did a 1993 big screen reboot. 

If the baby name Jethro had been in sparing use prior to the series’ debut, it was now all-but extinct. 

MORE NOTABLE FIGURES

Then again, the name was used in English-speaking countries over the years. Famous figures include:

• Jethro Sumner served as a general in the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. For his services, Sumner County, Tennessee was named in his honor.
• Sir Jethro Teall was a late nineteenth century geologist.
• On New Zealand’s TV3, the West family of criminals attempted to make an honest living on Outrageous Fortune. Dad is Wolf, mom is Cheryl, the two daughters are Pascalle and Loretta. Brothers Van and Jethro round out the family. 
• On television’s JAG, Rear Admiral Albert Jethro Chegwidden answered to A.J..
• A real life bearer of the name, Jethro Pugh played for the Dallas Cowboys.
• The latest installment of The Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping, includes a character named Jethro, father to the fiercely intelligent Wyatt, who will be played by Ben Wang in the 2026 movie version of the book. 

LEROY JETHRO GIBBS

In the year 2003, military police procedural NCIS debuted on CBS. It focused on a team in the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Yes, it’s a real entity. To call the show a success is an understatement. It’s currently entering its 24th season, with seven spin-offs to date.

This includes NCIS: Origins, now set for a third season. NCIS: Origins is the backstory of the leader of NCIS, Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Typically known as Gibbs, but also as just Jethro, Gibbs is played by Mark Harmon in the original series and Austin Stowell in the prequel.

Gibbs is a skilled marksman, a former Marine from a small town in Pennsylvania with a tragic backstory. He’s heroic, but NCIS is about team efforts to crack the case and stop the bad guys. 

Special Agent Gibbs restores much of the ancient dignity to the name Jethro.

HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME JETHRO?

In terms of popularity, the baby name Jethro appeared in the US Top 1000 just a few times, most recently in 1913.

During the 1960s, the television series took the name down to the single digits as Jethro became a punchline of a name. 

The name’s long march into greater use tracks with the NCIS character’s storyline. Particularly the introduction of the younger verison of Gibbs in the prequel seems to have recast how we hear this name.

The small screen works both ways. 

As of 2025, the baby name Jethro returned to the rankings at #923. 

In the United Kingdom, it’s equally rare. 

While Biblical names are often adapted in different cultures and languages, there are few international adaptations of Jethro. Despite being the name of Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro has remained obscure as a masculine name. 

SO FAR OUT IT’S IN

Despite minimal use in decades past, Jethro might be the perfect name today.

• We love boys’ names ending with O. If Arlo and Theo, Leo and Mateo can be favorites, why not Jethro? 
• When it comes to possible nicknames of Jethro, there’s Jet, as in fast-rising favorite Jett. 
• Biblical names are always going to find some fans, and with obscurities like Nehemiah in the rankings, it feels like there’s space for Jethro, too. 
• The long-running television character was selfless and capable, pursued excellence and justice, and supported his team. It’s easy to imagine parents changing their minds about the name over so many seasons.

There’s no question Jethro has lingered in obscurity. It would be a bold, even unconventional choice now. But with the name back in the US Top 1000, more parents might be willing to take that risk.

What do you think of the baby name Jethro?

First published August 11, 2009, this post was revised on May 12, 2026.