Jesse is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'gift' or 'God's gift.' In the Bible, Jesse is the father of King David. The name is associated with the American outlaw Jesse James, a notorious bank and train robber in the 19th century. Jesse is a classic and enduring name, popular in many English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It has remained consistently in use for centuries. Famous people named Jesse include Jesse Owens, the Olympic track and field athlete, and Jesse Eisenberg, an American actor and playwright.