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Jessica Girl

Popularity: #483 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationJESS-ih-kuh / /ˈdʒɛsɪkə/

Hebrew; Latin

Meaning

Hebrew: 'wealthy'; Latin: 'to behold'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Jessica has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the name Yiskah, which means 'foresight' or 'to behold.' This name was introduced into the English language through the works of William Shakespeare, who used it in his play "The Merchant of Venice," written in the late 16th century. In the play, Jessica is the daughter of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, and her character's journey reflects themes of love and identity. Shakespeare's influence played a significant role in popularizing the name, as it became associated with the literary and cultural milieu of the Elizabethan era.

The name Jessica was further solidified in the English-speaking world through its inclusion in various literary works and its adoption by notable figures in history. By the 17th century, it had begun to appear in various forms in English literature and was embraced by different cultures, adapting to local languages and customs. The name's usage expanded significantly in the 20th century, but its roots remain deeply embedded in its original Hebrew meaning.

Culturally, Jessica has been associated with themes of beauty, intelligence, and complexity, largely due to its literary origins. The character of Jessica in Shakespeare's play embodies a blend of strength and vulnerability, which has resonated with audiences over the centuries. Additionally, the name has seen various diminutive forms, such as Jess or Jessie, which have been used affectionately in different contexts. Overall, Jessica's journey from its Hebrew origins to its prominent place in English literature illustrates the dynamic interplay between language, culture, and identity.

Trend Summary

Jessica was among the top names for girls in the United States from the 1980s through the early 2000s.

Similar Names

JulianaJennaJodieJosieJoyce

Variants

  • Jess
  • Jessie

International Variants

  • Jéssica (Spanish)
  • Jasmina (Slavic)

Famous people named Jessica

Jessica Alba is an actress and businesswoman best known for Fantastic Four, Sin City, and Honey.

Jessica Chastain is an actress and producer best known for Zero Dark Thirty, The Help, and Interstellar.

Jessica Biel is an actress and producer best known for 7th Heaven, The Illusionist, and Total Recall.

Jessica Ennis-Hill is a retired athlete best known for winning gold in the heptathlon at the 2012 Olympics.

Jessica Simpson is a singer and actress best known for her music career and the reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica.

Jessica Lange is an actress best known for Tootsie, Blue Sky, and American Horror Story.

Jessica Szohr is an actress best known for her role in Gossip Girl and the film Piranha 3D.

Jessica Mauboy is a singer and actress best known for her music career and the film The Sapphires.

Jessica Henwick is an actress best known for her roles in Iron Fist, The Matrix Resurrections, and Game of Thrones.

Jessica Brown Findlay is an actress best known for her role in Downton Abbey and the film Winter's Tale.

Jessica Capshaw is an actress best known for her role in Grey's Anatomy and the film Valentine.

Jessica Hynes is an actress and writer best known for her work in Spaced, Twenty Twelve, and W1A.

Jessica Barden is an actress best known for her roles in The End of the F*ing World and The New Romantic.

Jessica Lucas is an actress best known for her roles in Cloverfield, Gotham, and the television series Melrose Place.

Jessica Stroup is an actress best known for her role in 90210 and the series The Following.

Fictional characters named Jessica

Jessica Rabbit is a fictional character from the animated film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. She is a sultry singer and the wife of Roger Rabbit, known for her iconic line, 'I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way.'.

Jessica Jones is a fictional character from the comic book series Jessica Jones and its Netflix adaptation. She is a private investigator with superhuman strength and a troubled past, often dealing with her own trauma while helping others.

Sibling Suggestions

JenniferJasmineJordanJulietJocelynJade

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jessica was first seen in the United States in 1880. Jessica has ranked as high as #2 nationally, which occurred in 1987, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Jessica has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Jessica (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 74
15%
TX 68
14%
FL 34
7%
NY 21
4%
IL 19
4%
NC 18
4%
PA 18
4%
OH 16
3%
VA 16
3%
WA 16
3%
TN 16
3%
GA 14
3%
NJ 14
3%
AZ 13
3%
MO 11
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18807
18817
18828
18836
188414
18856
188611
18878
188818
18899
189018
189114
189214
189315
189410
189519
18969
18979
189813
189914
190023
19018
19029
190316
190416
190517
190618
190717
190817
190918
191028
191121
191236
191325
191442
191555
191653
191755
191856
191940
192043
192148
192240
192352
192441
192534
192635
192739
192836
192942
193038
193140
193244
193343
193446
193547
193643
193771
193850
193977
194061
194181
1942127
1943121
1944124
1945132
1946240
1947430
1948482
1949406
1950402
1951466
1952453
1953495
1954424
1955387
1956406
1957476
1958529
1959522
1960556
1961668
1962864
19631,120
19641,171
19651,532
19661,668
19671,760
19681,840
19692,492
19704,022
19715,360
19726,206
19737,228
197410,655
197512,928
197618,369
197724,845
197826,103
197927,782
198033,923
198142,532
198245,449
198345,284
198445,858
198548,348
198652,684
198755,996
198851,557
198947,887
199046,486
199143,395
199238,361
199334,993
199432,122
199527,939
199624,200
199721,045
199818,238
199916,350
200015,711
200113,925
200211,921
200310,454
20049,470
20058,115
20066,815
20075,714
20084,739
20093,801
20103,200
20112,625
20122,335
20131,951
20141,802
20151,591
20161,392
20171,291
20181,066
2019969
2020779
2021656
2022620
2023550
2024526