Jessica: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: Famous bearers include Jessica Alba, Jessica Simpson, and Jessica Biel.

Jessica Overview

Meaning

Foresight, to behold, he will see, God beholds

Gender

Girl

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew name “Iscah” (Yiskāh).

Pronunciation

/ˈdʒɛsɪkə/

Popularity

Jessica was one of the top 10 names for girls in the U.S. from the 1980s to the early 2000s.

Ranked at 552th most common names in the U.S. in 2023.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Popular, Traditional, Aesthetic

Associated Traits

Insightfulness, vision, divine observation

Jessica Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Jessika, Jesica, Jessa, Jess, Jessie, Jessyka, Jesika, Jesslyn, Jessamyn, Jessalyn

Common Nicknames

Jessie, Jessi, Jessa, Jessy

Diminutives

Jess, Sica, Jex, Jay, J.J.

Famous People

Jessica Alba
(American Actress)
Jessica Biel
(American Actress)
Jessica Chastain
(American Actress)
Jessica Simpson
(American Singer)
Jessica Ennis-Hill
(British Athlete)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Jessica
("The Merchant of Venice," Play)
Jessica Fletcher
("Murder, She Wrote," TV Series)
Jessica Rabbit
("Who Framed Roger Rabbit," Film)
Jessica Day
("New Girl," TV Series)
Jessica Drew
("Spider-Woman," Marvel Comics)

What Is the Meaning of Jessica?

Jessica is a name with meaning “God beholds.” It also carries connotations such as “foresight” or “to behold,” reflecting a vision or the ability to see the potential in the future. These meanings suggest a sense of insightfulness or divine observation.

What Is the Origin of The Name Jessica?

The name Jessica is of Hebrew origin. It was popularized by William Shakespeare in his play “The Merchant of Venice,” where it is believed he may have derived it from “Iscah” (spelled Yiskāh in Hebrew), a name mentioned briefly in the Bible as the daughter of Haran.

Jessica Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Jessica in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#4772021	#5082022	#5522023
Top 3 Rankings	#11985	#11986	#11987

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Jessica

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	552 (-44 from 2022)	545 (-73 from 2022)	0.03116
2022	508 (-31 from 2021)	618 (-37 from 2021)	0.03447
2021	477 (-78 from 2020)	655 (-124 from 2020)	0.03656
2020	399 (-68 from 2019)	779 (-190 from 2019)	0.04407
2019	331 (-20 from 2018)	969 (-97 from 2018)	0.05281
2018	311 (-65 from 2017)	1066 (-224 from 2017)	0.05732
2017	246 (-15 from 2016)	1290 (-102 from 2016)	0.06828
2016	231 (-25 from 2015)	1392 (-198 from 2015)	0.07191
2015	206 (-27 from 2014)	1590 (-211 from 2014)	0.08150
2014	179 (-15 from 2013)	1801 (-149 from 2013)	0.09206
2013	164 (-27 from 2012)	1950 (-384 from 2012)	0.10116
2012	137 (-19 from 2011)	2334 (-290 from 2011)	0.12034
2011	118 (-26 from 2010)	2624 (-576 from 2010)	0.13542
2010	92 (-14 from 2009)	3200 (-601 from 2009)	0.16321
2009	78 (-19 from 2008)	3801 (-936 from 2008)	0.18770
2008	59 (-17 from 2007)	4737 (-977 from 2007)	0.22743
2007	42 (-10 from 2006)	5714 (-1101 from 2006)	0.26997
2006	32 (-5 from 2005)	6815 (-1300 from 2005)	0.32600
2005	27 (-6 from 2004)	8115 (-1355 from 2004)	0.39984
2004	21 (-3 from 2003)	9470 (-982 from 2003)	0.46932
2003	18 (-2 from 2002)	10452 (-1469 from 2002)	0.52092
2002	16 (-5 from 2001)	11921 (-2003 from 2001)	0.60359
2001	11 (-3 from 2000)	13924 (-1787 from 2000)	0.70290
2000	8 (+1 from 1999)	15711 (-639 from 1999)	0.78723
1999	9 (-1 from 1998)	16350 (-1888 from 1998)	0.83984
1998	8 (-6 from 1997)	18238 (-2807 from 1997)	0.94083
1997	2 No change from 1996	21045 (-3154 from 1996)	1.10227
1996	2 (-1 from 1995)	24199 (-3740 from 1995)	1.26218
1995	1 No change from 1994	27939 (-4183 from 1994)	1.45398
1994	1 No change from 1993	32122 (-2871 from 1993)	1.64781
1993	1 (+1 from 1992)	34993 (-3367 from 1992)	1.77491
1992	2 No change from 1991	38360 (-5036 from 1991)	1.91353
1991	2 (-1 from 1990)	43396 (-3084 from 1990)	2.13414
1990	1 No change from 1989	46480 (-1409 from 1989)	2.26246
1989	1 No change from 1988	47889 (-3666 from 1988)	2.40385
1988	1 No change from 1987	51555 (-4441 from 1987)	2.68081
1987	1 No change from 1986	55996 (+3312 from 1986)	2.98770
1986	1 No change from 1985	52684 (+4336 from 1985)	2.85474
1985	1 (+1 from 1984)	48348 (+2491 from 1984)	2.61862
1984	2 No change from 1983	45857 (+576 from 1983)	2.54293
1983	2 No change from 1982	45281 (-167 from 1982)	2.53013
1982	2 No change from 1981	45448 (+2914 from 1981)	2.50501
1981	2 (+1 from 1980)	42534 (+8612 from 1980)	2.37818
1980	3 (+1 from 1979)	33922 (+6143 from 1979)	1.90504
1979	4 (-1 from 1978)	27779 (+1677 from 1978)	1.61199
1978	3 (+1 from 1977)	26102 (+1257 from 1977)	1.58782
1977	4 (+4 from 1976)	24845 (+6476 from 1976)	1.51033
1976	8 (+5 from 1975)	18369 (+5440 from 1975)	1.16859
1975	13 (+4 from 1974)	12929 (+2275 from 1974)	0.82832
1974	17 (+17 from 1973)	10654 (+3427 from 1973)	0.68022
1973	34 (+12 from 1972)	7227 (+1021 from 1972)	0.46503
1972	46 (+18 from 1971)	6206 (+846 from 1971)	0.38486
1971	64 (+34 from 1970)	5360 (+1338 from 1970)	0.30583
1970	98 (+36 from 1969)	4022 (+1530 from 1969)	0.21956
1969	134 (+43 from 1968)	2492 (+652 from 1968)	0.14137
1968	177 (+6 from 1967)	1840 (+79 from 1967)	0.10762
1967	183 (+12 from 1966)	1761 (+93 from 1966)	0.10257
1966	195 (+21 from 1965)	1668 (+136 from 1965)	0.09500
1965	216 (+46 from 1964)	1532 (+361 from 1964)	0.08383
1964	262 (+3 from 1963)	1171 (+51 from 1963)	0.05983
1963	265 (+54 from 1962)	1120 (+257 from 1962)	0.05634
1962	319 (+53 from 1961)	863 (+195 from 1961)	0.04258
1961	372 (+36 from 1960)	668 (+112 from 1960)	0.03216
1960	408 (+6 from 1959)	556 (+34 from 1959)	0.02673
1959	414 (-12 from 1958)	522 (-7 from 1958)	0.02511
1958	402 (+30 from 1957)	529 (+53 from 1957)	0.02561
1957	432 (+21 from 1956)	476 (+70 from 1956)	0.02269
1956	453 (+5 from 1955)	406 (+19 from 1955)	0.01971
1955	458 (-35 from 1954)	387 (-37 from 1954)	0.01930
1954	423 (-41 from 1953)	424 (-71 from 1953)	0.02130
1953	382 (+4 from 1952)	495 (+42 from 1952)	0.02565
1952	386 (-7 from 1951)	453 (-13 from 1951)	0.02382
1951	379 (+20 from 1950)	466 (+64 from 1950)	0.02523
1950	399 (-4 from 1949)	402 (-4 from 1949)	0.02286
1949	395 (-41 from 1948)	406 (-76 from 1948)	0.02313
1948	354 (+31 from 1947)	482 (+52 from 1947)	0.02766
1947	385 (+121 from 1946)	430 (+190 from 1946)	0.02365
1946	506 (+128 from 1945)	240 (+108 from 1945)	0.01488
1945	634 (+29 from 1944)	132 (+8 from 1944)	0.00981
1944	663 (+28 from 1943)	124 (+3 from 1943)	0.00907
1943	691 (-28 from 1942)	121 (-6 from 1942)	0.00843
1942	663 (+139 from 1941)	127 (+46 from 1941)	0.00913
1941	802 (+113 from 1940)	81 (+20 from 1940)	0.00650
1940	915 (-140 from 1939)	61 (-16 from 1939)	0.00516
1939	775 (+232 from 1938)	77 (+27 from 1938)	0.00679
1938	1007 (-192 from 1937)	50 (-21 from 1937)	0.00438
1937	815 (+247 from 1936)	71 (+28 from 1936)	0.00644
1936	1062 (-58 from 1935)	43 (-4 from 1935)	0.00399
1935	1004 (+15 from 1934)	47 (+1 from 1934)	0.00432
1934	1019 (+43 from 1933)	46 (+3 from 1933)	0.00425
1933	1062 (+8 from 1932)	43 (-1 from 1932)	0.00411
1932	1070 (+56 from 1931)	44 (+4 from 1931)	0.00398
1931	1126 (+84 from 1930)	40 (+2 from 1930)	0.00362
1930	1210 (-73 from 1929)	38 (-4 from 1929)	0.00326
1929	1137 (+134 from 1928)	42 (+6 from 1928)	0.00363
1928	1271 (-10 from 1927)	36 (-3 from 1927)	0.00301
1927	1261 (+64 from 1926)	39 (+4 from 1926)	0.00315
1926	1325 (+51 from 1925)	35 (+1 from 1925)	0.00285
1925	1376 (-132 from 1924)	34 (-7 from 1924)	0.00269
1924	1244 (-190 from 1923)	41 (-11 from 1923)	0.00316
1923	1054 (+178 from 1922)	52 (+12 from 1922)	0.00415
1922	1232 (-140 from 1921)	40 (-8 from 1921)	0.00321
1921	1092 (+60 from 1920)	48 (+5 from 1920)	0.00375
1920	1152 (+25 from 1919)	43 (+3 from 1919)	0.00346
1919	1177 (-217 from 1918)	40 (-16 from 1918)	0.00341
1918	960 (-27 from 1917)	56 (+1 from 1917)	0.00466
1917	933 (+7 from 1916)	55 (+2 from 1916)	0.00489
1916	940 (-55 from 1915)	53 (-2 from 1915)	0.00488
1915	885 (+16 from 1914)	55 (+13 from 1914)	0.00537
1914	901 (+189 from 1913)	42 (+17 from 1913)	0.00527
1913	1090 (-257 from 1912)	25 (-11 from 1912)	0.00382
1912	833 (+125 from 1911)	36 (+15 from 1911)	0.00614
1911	958 (-146 from 1910)	21 (-7 from 1910)	0.00475
1910	812 (+149 from 1909)	28 (+10 from 1909)	0.00667
1909	961 (+9 from 1908)	18 (+1 from 1908)	0.00489
1908	970 (-47 from 1907)	17 No change from 1907	0.00480
1907	923 (-51 from 1906)	17 (-1 from 1906)	0.00504
1906	872 (+28 from 1905)	18 (+1 from 1905)	0.00574
1905	900 (+10 from 1904)	17 (+1 from 1904)	0.00549
1904	910 (-48 from 1903)	16 No change from 1903	0.00547
1903	862 (+357 from 1902)	16 (+7 from 1902)	0.00575
1902	1219 (+8 from 1901)	9 (+1 from 1901)	0.00321
1901	1227 (-467 from 1900)	8 (-15 from 1900)	0.00315
1900	760 (+118 from 1899)	23 (+9 from 1899)	0.00724
1899	878 (+85 from 1898)	14 (+1 from 1898)	0.00566
1898	963 (+131 from 1897)	13 (+4 from 1897)	0.00474
1897	1094 (+28 from 1896)	9 No change from 1896	0.00363
1896	1122 (-397 from 1895)	9 (-10 from 1895)	0.00357
1895	725 (+273 from 1894)	19 (+9 from 1894)	0.00769
1894	998 (-231 from 1893)	10 (-5 from 1893)	0.00424
1893	767 (+29 from 1892)	15 (+1 from 1892)	0.00666
1892	796 (-69 from 1891)	14 No change from 1891	0.00622
1891	727 (-110 from 1890)	14 (-4 from 1890)	0.00712
1890	617 (+285 from 1889)	18 (+9 from 1889)	0.00893
1889	902 (-309 from 1888)	9 (-9 from 1888)	0.00476
1888	593 (+267 from 1887)	18 (+10 from 1887)	0.00950
1887	860 (-167 from 1886)	8 (-3 from 1886)	0.00515
1886	693 (+228 from 1885)	11 (+5 from 1885)	0.00716
1885	921 (-365 from 1884)	6 (-8 from 1884)	0.00423
1884	556 (+261 from 1883)	14 (+8 from 1883)	0.01018
1883	817 (-139 from 1882)	6 (-2 from 1882)	0.00500
1882	678 (+1 from 1881)	8 (+1 from 1881)	0.00691
1881	679 No change from 1880	7 No change from 1880	0.00708
1880	679 First SSA data recorded	7 First SSA data recorded	0.00717

American States Popularity Rankings for Jessica

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

#3272021

#3662022

#3402023

Texas (TX)

#4262021

#4212022

#4472023

New York (NY)

#4752021

#5252022

#7092023

Florida (FL)

#4522021

#4942022

#5512023

Illinois (IL)

#5672021

#4242022

#3952023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#5822021

#4982022

#5362023

Ohio (OH)

#4512021

#4942022

#4872023

Michigan (MI)

#6342021

#3752022

#5752023

New Jersey (NJ)

#4692021

#5912022

#6522023

Georgia (GA)

#5302021

#5672022

#9712023

North Carolina (NC)

#5942021

#5922022

#6572023

Massachusetts (MA)

#4402021

#5292022

#4802023

Virginia (VA)

#5442021

#5842022

#5282023

Indiana (IN)

#5632021

#5082022

#4372023

Missouri (MO)

#5492021

#9992022

#5312023

Tennessee (TN)

#4772021

#10652022

#6802023

Wisconsin (WI)

#5022020

#4442021

#6062022

Washington (WA)

#3542021

#3562022

#4542023

Minnesota (MN)

#4972019

#3082020

#7202021

Kentucky (KY)

#5322020

#4402021

#4012022

Arizona (AZ)

#5622021

#8792022

#7152023

Maryland (MD)

#3712021

#2822022

#7202023

Louisiana (LA)

#7852020

#7852021

#9002022

Alabama (AL)

#6952021

#5062022

#5822023

Colorado (CO)

#3792021

#5972022

#6372023

Connecticut (CT)

#3072018

#5172021

#5852022

South Carolina (SC)

#8402021

#4172022

#7502023

Iowa (IA)

#3202016

#3482017

#3782018

Oklahoma (OK)

#5052020

#6632021

#5032022

Oregon (OR)

#4592021

#6732022

#4252023

Utah (UT)

#5442020

#6412022

#6242023

Kansas (KS)

#5452018

#4682019

#6202020

Mississippi (MS)

#4032017

#4432019

#5902022

Arkansas (AR)

#4452020

#2962021

#4452023

West Virginia (WV)

#2062013

#2092014

#3092016

Nebraska (NE)

#3212020

#3802022

#3302023

New Mexico (NM)

#2082014

#4212015

#3202017

Maine (ME)

#1372007

#2102010

#2392011

Nevada (NV)

#5652021

#5562022

#4552023

Idaho (ID)

#4092019

#2362020

#3412021

New Hampshire (NH)

#1912009

#1352010

#2502011

Rhode Island (RI)

#1662011

#2082013

#1112015

North Dakota (ND)

#1192006

#742007

#2262018

Hawaii (HI)

#1102012

#2032015

#2042016

District of Columbia (DC)

#2602013

#1812014

#2182017

Montana (MT)

#1952014

#1892015

#2202017

South Dakota (SD)

#2352009

#1872010

#1612014

Delaware (DE)

#1832014

#1652015

#2122016

Alaska (AK)

#1282009

#1982010

#762012

Vermont (VT)

#1172006

#1192007

#1102010

Wyoming (WY)

#832006

#1332007

#842008

Popularity Rankings for Jessica in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Brazil

Brazil

#32000 (Decade)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa

Guam

Northern Mariana Islands

U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories

#212009

#132010

#212012

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#242021

#272022

#252023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#332019

#372020

#492021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#382021

#622022

#602023

Popularity in Italy

Italy

#451999

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW)

#492015

#722016

#962017

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#662021

#622022

#1032023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden

#912002

#4332022

#6982023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium

#1032002

#1372003

#1622004

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina

#1451996

#1381997

#1731998

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#1452021

#1702022

#3132023

Popularity in France

France

#1682006

#1962007

#1962008

Popularity in Austria

Austria

#1722015

#1972016

#1902018

Popularity in Chile

Chile

#1922003

#1862004

#1742005

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico

#1932020

#2052021

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#1992021

#2932022

#2712023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland

#2972022

#2352023

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#2782021

#2622022

#4092023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#2952020

#4252021

#2872022

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

#3392010

#3352012

#3832013

Popularity in Norway

Norway

#4272021

#3702022

#3772023

Popularity in Germany

Germany

#4072019

#3922020

#3942021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#4732020

#7452021

#5002022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Jessica a Name for Boys or Girls?

Jessica is traditionally a feminine name. It has become one of the most recognizable female names in the English-speaking world

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Jessica

Jessika
Jesica
Jessa
Jess
Jessie
Jessyka
Jesika
Jesslyn
Jessamyn
Jessalyn

Jessie
Jessi
Jessa
Jessy

Jess
Sica
Jex
Jay
J.J.

Meaning: Victory of the people
Origin: GreekNicole
Meaning: Laurel tree, wisdom, from Laurentum
Origin: Latin, FrenchLauren
Michelle
Meaning: Industrious, striving, rival
Origin: LatinEmily
Alexandra
Brooke
Meaning: Reborn
Origin: French, LatinRenee
Meaning: Son of Matthew
Origin: EnglishMadison
Allison
Meaning: Heard by God, name of God, blossom
Origin: AmericanSamantha
Juliet

Jessica in Famous People Names and Pop Culture

Famous People
In Popular Culture

Jessica Alba (Actress, born 1981): An American actress known for her roles in "Dark Angel," "Fantastic Four," and "Sin City."
Jessica Biel (Actress, born 1982): An American actress who rose to prominence with her role in "7th Heaven" and has appeared in films such as "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "The Illusionist."
Jessica Chastain (Actress, born 1977): An American actress known for her roles in "The Help," "Zero Dark Thirty," and "Molly's Game."
Jessica Simpson (Singer, born 1980): An American singer and actress known for her pop hits like "I Wanna Love You Forever" and reality TV show "Newlyweds."
Jessica Ennis-Hill (Athlete, born 1986): A British track and field athlete who won gold in the heptathlon at the 2012 Olympics.
Jessica Capshaw (Actress, born 1976): An American actress known for her role as Dr. Arizona Robbins on "Grey's Anatomy."
Jessica Lange (Actress, born 1949): An American actress renowned for her work in films such as "Tootsie," "Blue Sky," and "American Horror Story."
Jessica Williams (Comedian, born 1989): An American comedian and actress known for her work on "The Daily Show" and "2 Dope Queens."
Jessica Stroup (Actress, born 1986): An American actress best known for her role as Erin Silver on "90210."
Jessica Henwick (Actress, born 1992): An English actress known for her roles in "Game of Thrones" and "Iron Fist."

Jessica ("The Merchant of Venice," 1596 Play): A character from Shakespeare's play. She is the daughter of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, and her storyline explores themes of love, identity, and cultural conflict
Jessica Fletcher ("Murder, She Wrote," 1984 TV Series): A fictional mystery writer and amateur detective, played by Angela Lansbury, who solves murders in her spare time.
Jessica Rabbit ("Who Framed Roger Rabbit," 1988 Film): A sultry animated character known for the line, "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way."
Jessica Day ("New Girl," 2011 TV Series): The quirky and optimistic school teacher played by Zooey Deschanel.
Jessica Drew ("Spider-Woman," Marvel Comics): A superhero who gained her powers through a combination of a special serum and a radiation treatment.
Jessica Jones ("Jessica Jones," 2015 TV Series): A former superhero turned private investigator, played by Krysten Ritter, known for her super strength and troubled past.

Jessamine
Jessa
Jessabel
Yessica
Jeslyn
Jessyca
Jessalyn
Jessika
Jessamyn
Jessca

Jennifer
Jasmine
Joanna
Isabel
Iscah
Meaning: Foresight, to behold, he will see, God beholds
Origin: HebrewJessica
Yiskah
Jessamy
Yessika
Yiska

Sibling Names for Jessica

For a Brother
For a Sister

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What does the name Jessica evoke for you? Share your thoughts or stories about Jessica in the comments. Thank you!

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

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1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
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2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

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Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
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Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

Jessica Name Meaning