Jamaica Girl
Origin(s)
Pronunciationjuh-MAY-kuh / dʒəˈmeɪ.kəEnglish; Jamaican
Meaning
English: Land of wood and water; Jamaican: Derived from the indigenous Taíno word 'Xaymaca'
Historical & Cultural Background
Jamaica is an island nation in the Caribbean known for its rich cultural heritage and history. The name Jamaica reflects the island's indigenous Taíno roots, where it was used to describe the lush landscape. It has gained popularity as a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries, often associated with the vibrant culture of the island.
Trend Summary
The name Jamaica has seen a modest rise in popularity in the United States over the past few decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Jamaika
International Variants
- Jamaïque (French)
- Jamaica (Spanish)
Famous people named Jamaica
Jamaica Kincaid is an Antiguan-American author known for her novels and essays that explore themes of identity and colonialism.
Fictional characters named Jamaica
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jamaica was first seen in the United States in 1972. Jamaica has ranked as high as #1039 nationally, which occurred in 1977, and has been most popular in California, Ohio, Texas, North Carolina, and Alabama. In the past 5 years the name Jamaica has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Jamaica (2021)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| SC | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1972 | 12 |
| 1973 | 9 |
| 1974 | 31 |
| 1975 | 16 |
| 1976 | 33 |
| 1977 | 61 |
| 1978 | 50 |
| 1979 | 46 |
| 1980 | 52 |
| 1981 | 51 |
| 1982 | 43 |
| 1983 | 40 |
| 1984 | 40 |
| 1985 | 32 |
| 1986 | 29 |
| 1987 | 33 |
| 1988 | 29 |
| 1989 | 45 |
| 1990 | 44 |
| 1991 | 53 |
| 1992 | 56 |
| 1993 | 49 |
| 1994 | 46 |
| 1995 | 56 |
| 1996 | 43 |
| 1997 | 39 |
| 1998 | 53 |
| 1999 | 45 |
| 2000 | 27 |
| 2001 | 35 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2003 | 27 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 42 |
| 2006 | 21 |
| 2007 | 20 |
| 2008 | 22 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |