See the results of this poll: Is Zebedee usable as a first name?
Respondents: 51 (This poll is closed)
- Yes : 22 (43%)
- No: 29 (57%)
If parents are choosing [name]Zachary[/name], why not [name]Zebedee[/name]? It’s an uncommon name that just seems strange because it’s not chosen as often. When I first heard it ages ago, I heard “zippity” as in “zippity-doo-dah” but over the years, I’ve grown to love its spunky and energetic quality. 
I think it is way too weird! [name]Zach[/name], [name]Zann[/name], [name]Zander[/name], Zodiak, [name]Zachariah[/name] are other Z names that are a little more normal.
I absolutely love [name]Zebedee[/name], but I wouldn’t use it as a first. I think it’s just a bit too out there and would seem odd on a shy, sensitive kid. I think it would be a fantastic middle, though.
Ha, the poll is split right down the middle.
I’m in the “It’s not usable at all” camp. [name]Just[/name] weird and sooo far out there. [name]Zebediah[/name], [name]Zephaniah[/name], or just Zephan would work if you really wanted a Z name that was a little less wild.
I think it’s usable. More and more parents are looking for great unusual names, so I think we’ll start seeing more different names on kids. I wouldn’t put it in the same category as [name]Zachariah[/name] (that seems a bit more common to me), but to me, it doesn’t seem more extreme than the other names you listed. I also think it’s more usable than the other Z names people are suggesting (except [name]Zebediah[/name], which I also like as an option for you) – most of them seem pretty extreme also and some I’ve never heard of (but I’m new to the name world, so there are a lot of names out there I haven’t heard of).
I also like the possible nn of Zebe (ZEH-bee) (like the nickname Sebi for [name]Sebastian[/name]). Or you could even just call him Z (or [name]Zee[/name]) which is very cute.
It just looks like alphabet letters put together ZBD (I can’t help buy say zee, instead of zeh because of this) to me it will be mispronounced and sound like ZBD run together… so I don’t like it
I voted that it’s usable, but for myself, I’d probably keep it in the middle (see my signature choices [name]James[/name] Deliverance and [name]Joseph[/name] [name]Nicodemus[/name].) It seems no more extreme than the other names you’ve listed, but for some reason it’s more rare than they are, so little [name]Zebedee[/name] would probably get a lot of raised eyebrows during his lifetime. On the other hand, maybe he could be a trendsetter!
I’ve never heard of this name, and I’m pretty sure neither have most people. Without the reference I think people will just think it’s a weird, youneek kind of name. I have no idea how to pronounce it, but Zeh-b-[name]Dee[/name] is how I read it.
I voted unusable. I find it awkward to say. The other names you listed are easier to say I think which is why they are a bit more usable in my opinion. I’d keep it in the middle name spot.
I’d keep it in the middle.
Honestly, I think its a ridiculous name. I guess I can see the appeal of the NN [name]Zeb[/name]. But it reminds me, as someone else has already said, of Zippity-doo-dah.
Not at all.
It’s got a very juvenile/jokey sound to it, and I, unfortunately, personally couldn’t take an adult named [name]Zebedee[/name] seriously.
That and I’ve seen The [name]Magic[/name] Roundabout before so I just picture the character.
I like [name]Zebedee[/name], especially with the nickname [name]Zeb[/name]. He can always choose to go by either [name]Zebedee[/name] or any nickname!
I know this was posted awhile ago, but i just wanted to weigh in for anyone searching this name. We have a [name_m]Zebedee[/name_m] [name_u]Blaine[/name_u] and we love the name!! He goes by [name_m]Zeb[/name_m] and has a brother named [name_m]Eli[/name_m]. People either love it or hate it, lol, but we have actually gotten a lot of complements on his name, and just like any other less common name (read: rare), you warm up to it after a bit and it does seem to grow on people. Go [name_m]Zeb[/name_m]!
I think it’s a perfectly normal name. With everyone digging into biblical names lately ([name_u]Noah[/name_u], [name_m]Jonah[/name_m], [name_m]Caleb[/name_m]), it’ll just be one of the more unique picks. Where I’m from, it would be considered weirder to meet a little [name_m]Henry[/name_m] than a [name_m]Zebedee[/name_m] : )