Meaning, origin, history
Jessica is a popular given name of Latin origin, meaning "God beholds" or "God sees". It is derived from the Late Latin word "Iessa," which means "to see" or "behold." The name Jessica first appeared in English literature in William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice," published around 1600. In the play, Jessica is the daughter of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Although the character is not particularly prominent in the story, her name has become widely known and associated with the work. Today, Jessica remains a popular choice for parents naming their daughters, ranking among the top 500 names for girls in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite its origins, Jessica is not exclusively used by people of Jewish faith; it has been adopted as a secular name by families across various cultures and religions worldwide.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Jssica since 1880
Total births
11
Total since 1880
Peak year
1986
6 births
in 1986
6
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
→
vs previous 5 years