This name is anything but weak. It has a nice sound to it. I like how it’s not religious enough for people to assume anything, as it is strong, ages well, and cool. It reminds me of Jidion.
“Visions of Gideon” is one of the two original Sufjan Stevens' songs (the other one is “Mystery of Love”) from the soundtrack for Call Me By Your Name.
Badass strong name. Love how it sounds! I would only use it as a middle name however due to the nickname "Gid".
― Anonymous User 8/30/2021
1
I named my son Gydiane, which is a much more creative spelling.
― Anonymous User 5/26/2021
-11
I know this name from Gideon's Bible. Aside from that, I think it's a good name, strong, works well with any age. Doesn't make me think of 'giddy' at all though.
Dr. Gideon Fell is the main detective of most of John Dickson Carr's mystery novels under his own name. The books involving Fell were usually cleverly-plotted locked-room mysteries like "The Hollow Man" and "He Who Whispers."
Gideon reminds me of a character in an amazing book I read once, I really love it! Not much nickname potential except for Giddy, but that's not a big deal. :)
― Anonymous User 12/6/2020
2
Sounds too close to "hideous" to me. It also sounds a little like "galleon" which conjures images of gold and greed. Good name for a villain in your story, not so much for a child.
I know it's supposed to be a masculine name, but it's always felt kind of genderless to me, which is why I took it when I realised I was trans. It's a good name.
― Anonymous User 9/7/2020
3
I absolutely love this name! My only son has it! It is so strong and courageous! :)
I sort of like this name and I've met a few men with this name, so, I should be able to see it as a MAN's name, yet; it always makes me think of an adorably silly young boy or foal. Especially the first syllable because it sounds like "giddy."
I've met one Gideon in my life. A teenage boy... Anyway, I don't like this name at all.
― Anonymous User 3/12/2015
-4
The defendant in the United States Supreme Court case, Gideon v. Wainwright, was Clarence Earl Gideon. The Court's decision held that state courts had to provide counsel to criminal defendants who could not afford an attorney, a landmark case which guaranteed rights under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the Constitution to not only federal defendants, but state-charged defendants, as well.
My family name is Gedeon, and I think it makes more sense to write it in Latin characters as 'Gedeon' instead of 'Gideon', given the spelling commonly used. However, most French/English speaking people in my country still find it hard to spell it as it's meant to be spelt, and when they want to write it down without my help, they would write it as 'Jadaoun', which I really dislike. Arabic, being richer in spelling, restricts the spelling to one. If you can read Arabic, it's 'جدعون' Since 'Gedeon' in etymology symbolizes the 'father of war', I have named my little one Axl which means in Scandinavian the 'father of peace', creating a balancing oxymoron:)
I think this is a nice name. As others have mentioned, it would work for a young boy or a grown man, really for any age. It doesn't have any obvious good nicknames, but I think Guy is a good nickname for it. Bit of a stretch, but it works.
When I first heard this name, I thought it was pretty cool, though not amazing. Since then it has totally matched one of my favorite main characters in one of my books, and I love it. Every time I hear or read the name I smile in delight. I can just picture a tall, quiet, sensitive, determined young man, with dark hair and piercing eyes. This name is so strong to me. My first boy will have it.
I don't know why this name is so popular. Reminds me of a fanatical book character, not a little boy. And I prefer "ghee-dohn" over "gid-ee-uhn". "Gid-ee-uhn" is very distasteful in my opinion.
Gideon Gordon Graves is the main antagonist in the Scott Pilgrim book series. He was played by Jason Schwartzman in the film "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World".
Gideon is a lovely name, I personally have it on a top 3 list (along with Reuben and Isaiah). Should I have a son he will likely have one of the above names!
― Anonymous User 10/27/2010
2
To be honest, this is one of the ugliest names I have ever heard. It reminds me of a frog.
I'm sort of back and forth about how I feel about this name. I have this really oddly specific idea that this name should be used by people who usually go by their last name. I mean, when someone found out what the guy's first name was, they'd be really surprised because it's not something average and overused. Just my weird thought on the name. I like it, though, just in a strange kind of way.
Season six of the popular Witch-themed dramedy "Charmed" introduced a powerful Elder named Gideon. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideon_%28Charmed%29 )He assited Leo when Leo first became a Whitelighter, supported Leo and Piper's marriage, and was headmaster of Magic School (think a Professor at Hogwarts, like McGonagall or Dumbledore). He also happened to try the entire sixth season to kill baby Wyatt (Leo and Piper's son) for the "greater good," seeing that Wyatt would grow too powerful.He fails, and ends up being killed by Leo, but before he dies, he manages to kill Wyatt's younger brother (who came to the past to save Wyatt) Chris (my favorite character in the entire show). In an alternate future, Gideon's attempt on Wyatt's life caused Wyatt to instead of die, turn evil.
That Benedict Arnold-type character, and sacrifice anything for the "greater good" morality, is all I can think about from this name.
Someone has said this name is pronounces ghee-dohn, but I have only ever heard it pronounced Gid-ee-uhn. I have attended a Christian church for many years and have met many Gideons, always pronounced in the latter way.
― Anonymous User 1/26/2007
4
I really like this name. I used it for the protagonist of a story I was writing, and it's just been growing on me ever since.
The name Gideon seems like a very strong, masculine name and reminds me of the character in the Bible. He demonstrated such faith in God and good leadership of the people of Israel. I hope to have faith like that. I would name my son this, but the cultural stereotype is not favorable. I might make Gideon his middle name.
I think this name is a very strong charismatic name. It has so much history behind it. To me, if I ever met a Gideon, it would be easier to remember that person because the name is unique, but not so unique you can't remember it (this is saying something because I have the hardest time remembering names and new people).
Gideon is the name of the Christmas angel in the movie "One Magic Christmas".
― Anonymous User 7/16/2006
1
The song "Gideon" by My Morning Jacket made me like this name a little better, not especially a favorite but I like it.
― Anonymous User 6/28/2006
1
I've never liked this name. It's just never caught my eye, like some names (names like Tristan, or Elijah) have. Recently, though, I've started to like it more, wouldn't say that it's a favorite of mine now, but it IS growing on me.