Boy · 27th of 23,106
Jack
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
750,859
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1927
Peak Popularity Year
12,884
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jack stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Jack has its roots in Middle English, originating from the Old French 'Jacques' and ultimately derived from the Hebrew 'Yaakov', meaning 'God is gracious'. Over time, it has evolved through various linguistic forms. Jack is characterized by its friendly and approachable connotation and has no direct biblical relevance. The name became widely adopted in England during the Middle Ages and continues to be popular today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/dʒæk/
Origin
Middle English
Etymology
The name Jack is derived from the Old French name 'Jacques', which itself comes from the Latin 'Jacobus', a form of the Hebrew name 'Yaakov' (Jacob). The name evolved through various languages over time.
Meaning
God is gracious
Language Evolution
Jacques (Old French), Iacomus (Latin), Yaakov (Hebrew), Jack (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The name Jack gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages as a diminutive of John and has since evolved into a standalone name, widely used in various cultures.
Variants & Derivatives
Jace, Jackson, Jackie, Jacques, John
Modern Popularity & Image
In contemporary society, Jack is viewed as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with qualities like bravery and playfulness. It remains a popular choice for boys.
Famous People
Jack Nicholson, Jack Black, Jack Dorsey, Jack Kerouac, Jack Daniel
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 12,884 peak births in 1927
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Wyoming
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 7 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 21st of 7545 | 149,017 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 22nd of 6773 | 163,929 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 63rd of 7552 | 114,782 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 135th of 10718 | 34,439 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 146th of 16616 | 33,071 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 45th of 24088 | 138,898 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 27th of 23106 | 105,623 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1007th of 9107 | 934 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1134th of 9204 | 785 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2925th of 12526 | 300 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4285th of 19264 | 219 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 8126th of 27321 | 136 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 8621st of 35406 | 198 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 9797th of 30306 | 122 |