Girl · 1st of 27,321
Jessica
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
1,053,884
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1987
Peak Popularity Year
56,239
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jessica 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 Jessica has its roots in Hebrew, specifically derived from the name Yiskah, meaning 'to behold.' It evolved through various forms and gained prominence after being popularized by Shakespeare. The name is associated with positive traits and has a strong cultural presence today. While it does not have direct biblical references, its derivative roots are found in biblical texts.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒɛsɪkə/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Jessica is believed to have been created by William Shakespeare in his play 'The Merchant of Venice' in the late 16th century. It is derived from the Hebrew name Yiskah, which means 'to behold' or 'to look upon.'
Meaning
to behold
Language Evolution
Yiskah, Jesse, Jessica
Biblical Background
The name Jessica does not appear in biblical texts, but it is derived from a biblical name.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the late 16th century after its introduction by Shakespeare and has remained a common name since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Jess, Jessie, Jessa
Modern Popularity & Image
Jessica is a widely recognized and popular name, often associated with beauty and creativity. It has maintained a positive perception over the years.
Famous People
Jessica Alba, Jessica Simpson, Jessica Chastain, Jessica Biel
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 56,239 peak births in 1987
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 27 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 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 6360th of 7552 | 12 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1281st of 10718 | 697 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 775th of 16616 | 2,560 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 4503rd of 24088 | 304 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 23106th of 23106 | 5 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1043rd of 9107 | 879 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 885th of 9204 | 1,223 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 390th of 12526 | 10,497 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 20th of 19264 | 186,713 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1st of 27321 | 683,091 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 16th of 35406 | 154,458 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 301st of 30306 | 13,193 |