Jesse \j(es)-se\ as a boy's name (also used as girl's name Jesse), is pronounced JESS-ee. It is of Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Jesse is "the Lord exists". Biblical: the shepherd father of King David. Jessie is also used for girls. The similar-sounding Jesiah is a variant of Joshua. Athlete Jesse Owens; politician Jesse Jackson; outlaw Jesse James.
Jesse has 6 variant forms: Jess, Jessey, Jesiah, Jessie, Jessy and Yishai.
For more information, see also the related name Jessamine.