Jesse in Chinese
Jesse in Chinese is 杰西 (Jié Xī).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- gift
The name traces back to Hebrew sources, where it is usually explained as "gift". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1980s.
3 ways to write Jesse
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
杰西
Jié Xī
The standard transliteration of Jesse: 杰 (jié, "outstanding, heroic"), 西 (xī, "west"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Mandarin has no consonant clusters, so the 1-syllable English name is spread over 2 characters: 杰 jié + 西 xī. The tone contour is 2-1 (rising, high level).
Character breakdown
14 strokes total (simplified)- 杰
jié
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
outstanding, heroic
- 西
xī
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
west
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Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
乐天
Lè Tiān
Inspired by "gift": 乐 (lè, "joy, happiness; music") + 天 (tiān, "heaven, sky"), expressing love, joy and blessings.
Why these characters?
Because Jesse is linked to "gift", the name leads with 乐 (joy, happiness; music); 天 (heaven, sky) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
9 strokes total (simplified)- 乐
lè
Tone 4 · 5 strokes (simplified)
joy, happiness; music
- 天
tiān
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
heaven, sky
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
杰喜
Jié Xǐ
杰 (jié, "outstanding, heroic") + 喜 (xǐ, "happiness, joy"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 杰 (jié), the same opening character as the transliteration 杰西, for the "jess" sound, and replaces the rest with 喜 ("happiness, joy") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
20 strokes total (simplified)- 杰
jié
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
outstanding, heroic
- 喜
xǐ
Tone 3 · 12 strokes (simplified)
happiness, joy
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Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Jesse
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Jesse ranked 195 among names recorded for boys, with 11,600 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 416,530 boys named Jesse since 1880, with the high point in 1981 (10,451 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #48 to #186 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1981
- Peak decade
- 1980s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 416,530
More About Jesse in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Jesse offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Jesse, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Stephen in Chinese, Lucas in Chinese, and Isaac in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Bryan in Chinese, Hunter in Chinese, and Jackson in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Jesse, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Jesse to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Jesse translated into Chinese?
杰西 (Jié Xī), or 傑西 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 杰西 have?
14 strokes in simplified form and 18 in traditional; per character: 杰 8, 西 6.
Is there a Chinese name for Jesse with real meaning?
Try 乐天 (Lè Tiān): joy, happiness; music + heaven, sky, inspired by "gift". For something that still sounds like Jesse, 杰喜 (Jié Xǐ) is a middle ground.