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Jack Boy

Popularity: #15 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationjak / /dʒæk/

English; Hebrew

Meaning

English: God is gracious; Hebrew: supplanter

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Jack has its roots in the medieval form of the name John, which originates from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." This name passed into Greek as Ioannes and then into Latin as Iohannes. The Old French variant, Jacques, became popular in England after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, leading to the diminutive form Jack emerging as a common nickname for John by the late Middle Ages. Over time, Jack evolved from a mere diminutive to a standalone name in its own right.

Historically, Jack has been associated with various notable figures and cultural references. One significant milestone is the use of the name in the 14th century, where it appeared in literature, such as in the works of Geoffrey Chaucer. The name gained further prominence through the legendary figure of Jack the Giant Killer, a popular English folktale from the 18th century that contributed to the name's cultural resonance. Additionally, the name appears in the nursery rhyme "Jack and Jill," which has roots in early English folklore, further embedding it in the cultural consciousness.

Culturally, Jack has come to symbolize qualities such as bravery and cleverness, often depicted as a resourceful and adventurous character in various stories and folklore. The name has also been associated with the archetype of the "everyman," representing the common man in English literature. This enduring appeal can be seen in various adaptations and retellings of tales featuring characters named Jack, which have persisted through generations, reflecting the name's deep-seated significance in English-speaking cultures.

Trend Summary

Jack has consistently been a popular name in the United States, frequently ranking in the top 20 names for boys.

Similar Names

JaceJettJaxJayJackieJared

Variants

  • Jackie
  • Jax

International Variants

  • Jacques (French)
  • Giovanni (Italian)
  • Juan (Spanish)

Famous people named Jack

Jack Nicholson is an actor best known for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Shining, and As Good as It Gets.

Jack Black is an actor and musician best known for School of Rock, Kung Fu Panda, and Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.

Jack White is a musician best known for his work with The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather.

Jack Kerouac is an author best known for On the Road, The Dharma Bums, and Big Sur.

Jack Dorsey is an entrepreneur best known for co-founding Twitter and Square.

Jack Lemmon is an actor best known for Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, and Glengarry Glen Ross.

Jack Ma is an entrepreneur best known for founding Alibaba Group.

Jack Reacher is a fictional character best known from the book series by Lee Child and the film adaptations.

Jack Hanna is a zookeeper and television personality best known for his wildlife documentaries and appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman.

Jack Welch is a businessman best known for being the CEO of General Electric.

Jack Daniel is a distiller best known for founding the Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey brand.

Jack Kirby is a comic book artist best known for co-creating characters such as Captain America, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four.

Jack Benny is a comedian and actor best known for The Jack Benny Program and his contributions to radio and television comedy.

Jack Johnson is a musician best known for songs like Banana Pancakes, Better Together, and Flake.

Jack Huston is an actor best known for Boardwalk Empire, American Hustle, and The Irishman.

Jack McBrayer is an actor and comedian best known for his role on 30 Rock and as a voice in Wreck-It Ralph.

Jack O'Connell is an actor best known for Skins, Unbroken, and 71.

Jack Reynor is an actor best known for Transformers: Age of Extinction, What Richard Did, and Midsommar.

Jack Antonoff is a musician and songwriter best known for his work with Bleachers and as a member of Fun.

Jack Gleeson is an actor best known for his role as Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones.

Jack Falahee is an actor best known for his role in How to Get Away with Murder and for his work in the film Hunter's Prayer.

Fictional characters named Jack

Jack Sparrow is a fictional character from the film series Pirates of the Caribbean. He is a charismatic and cunning pirate known for his adventurous exploits and clever schemes.

Jack Torrance is a fictional character from the novel and film The Shining. He is a struggling writer who becomes the winter caretaker of the haunted Overlook Hotel, leading to his descent into madness.

Jack Skellington is a fictional character from the film The Nightmare Before Christmas. He is the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town who becomes enamored with Christmas and seeks to take over the holiday.

Jack Frost is a fictional character from various folklore and the film Rise of the Guardians. He is a mischievous spirit who brings winter and snow, often depicted as a young man with icy powers.

Jack Reacher is a fictional character from the Jack Reacher book series by Lee Child. He is a former military policeman who travels the United States, solving crimes and seeking justice.

Jack Bauer is a fictional character from the TV series 24. He is a counter-terrorism agent who often operates under extreme pressure to thwart terrorist threats and save lives.

Jack McCoy is a fictional character from the TV series Law & Order. He is a senior assistant district attorney known for his strong moral compass and dedication to justice.

Jack Harkness is a fictional character from the TV series Doctor Who and its spin-off Torchwood. He is a time-traveling former Time Agent with a charming personality and a complex past.

Sibling Suggestions

JamesJohnJakeJasperJudeJoseph

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jack was first seen in the United States in 1880. Jack has ranked as high as #28 nationally, which occurred in 1927, and has been most popular in California, New York, Ohio, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Jack has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Jack (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 738
9%
TX 590
7%
NY 561
7%
FL 374
5%
PA 372
5%
IL 354
4%
OH 343
4%
MI 303
4%
MA 281
4%
NC 260
3%
TN 222
3%
GA 216
3%
VA 215
3%
UT 212
3%
WA 212
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880204
1881197
1882271
1883242
1884274
1885295
1886299
1887251
1888329
1889322
1890368
1891290
1892401
1893405
1894441
1895479
1896539
1897497
1898633
1899582
19001,053
1901645
1902743
1903831
1904908
1905907
1906880
19071,019
19081,086
19091,150
19101,576
19111,668
19122,870
19133,538
19144,486
19155,748
19166,162
19176,874
19188,341
19198,263
19209,599
192110,757
192210,847
192311,190
192411,921
192512,011
192612,195
192712,802
192812,494
192912,167
193012,429
193111,489
193210,717
19339,838
19349,985
19359,438
19368,857
19378,196
19388,142
19397,306
19407,049
19416,950
19427,365
19437,397
19447,255
19456,855
19467,802
19478,507
19487,612
19497,128
19506,839
19517,004
19526,938
19536,539
19546,474
19556,200
19566,051
19576,024
19585,300
19595,016
19604,915
19614,639
19624,170
19633,816
19643,808
19653,198
19662,964
19672,782
19682,691
19692,607
19702,563
19712,365
19721,901
19731,850
19741,650
19751,743
19761,665
19771,673
19781,578
19791,582
19801,627
19811,615
19821,620
19831,526
19841,482
19851,523
19861,522
19871,656
19881,654
19891,717
19901,837
19911,949
19922,070
19932,424
19942,781
19953,450
19964,245
19974,984
19986,376
19997,386
20008,123
20018,149
20029,000
20039,317
20049,580
200510,905
200610,837
200710,671
20089,897
20099,029
20108,520
20118,184
20127,940
20138,577
20148,753
20158,513
20168,430
20178,477
20188,892
20199,402
20208,942
20219,563
20228,930
20238,710
20248,434