The nameJessica
Jessica is a girl's name created by Shakespeare. It was the most popular girls' name in the United States in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Girl's name
- English
Meaning
Jessica is usually linked to the Hebrew Yiskah, a niece of Abraham, whose name may mean "to behold". Its meaning is discussed.
Origin
English. Shakespeare gave the name to Shylock's daughter in The Merchant of Venice, written around 1597.
History
Jessica rose fast in the 1970s. It ranked first in the United States in 1985 to 1990 and 1993 to 1995, and in England and Wales in 2005. Jess and Jessie are its short forms.
Jessica in other languages
Jessica is spelled the same in English, French, Italian, Spanish and German. Shakespeare probably took it from the biblical Iscah (Jesca), niece of Abraham.
Nicknames for Jessica
The most common nicknames for Jessica: Jess and Jessie.
Did you know?
- The name is first found in Shakespeare: Jessica is Shylock's daughter in The Merchant of Venice.
- Jessica Ennis-Hill won the heptathlon at the London 2012 Olympics.
Famous people named Jessica
- Jessica Lange, actress
- Jessica Chastain, actress
- Jessica Ennis-Hill, athlete
- Jessica Alba, actress
Popularity of the name Jessica
Jessica in the United States
Jessica was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 471,538 births over the decade, 45% of all recorded babies named Jessica. Its rise began around 1972, and it peaked in 1987. Half of all babies named Jessica in the United States were born before 1987, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 626 births a year on average, against 1,263 in the five years before.
Jessica in the United Kingdom
Jessica was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 51,948 births over the decade, 48% of all recorded babies named Jessica. Half of all babies named Jessica in the United Kingdom were born before 2007, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 766 births a year on average, against 2,189 in the five years before.
Jessica in Ireland
Jessica in France
Jessica in Belgium
Jessica in Switzerland
Jessica in Austria
Jessica in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Jessica
Names from the same generation as Jessica, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Jessica? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Jessica with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Jessica side by side with the name of your choice.
Jessica in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jessica mean?
Jessica is usually linked to the Hebrew Yiskah, a niece of Abraham, whose name may mean "to behold". Its meaning is discussed.
What is the origin of the name Jessica?
English. Shakespeare gave the name to Shylock's daughter in The Merchant of Venice, written around 1597.
Is Jessica a girl's or a boy's name?
Jessica is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Jessica?
In 2024, Jessica was the 574th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 526 births.
What are the variants of the name Jessica?
Variants and related names of Jessica include Jessie and Jessy.
What are good sibling names for Jessica?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Amber, Megan, Amanda and Jennifer for a sister, Brandon, Dustin, Tyler and Brendan for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Jessica?
The most common nicknames for Jessica are Jess and Jessie.
Who are famous people named Jessica?
Jessica Lange, actress; Jessica Chastain, actress; Jessica Ennis-Hill, athlete; Jessica Alba, actress.