The name Jacqueline is of French origin and means "God is gracious." It is derived from the Late Latin name Jacomina, which was a diminutive of Jacomus, meaning "supplanter" or "seize by the heel," possibly referring to the biblical story of Jacob wrestling with an angel. The name Jacqueline first appeared in France during the Middle Ages and became popular among French nobility. It eventually spread to other parts of Europe and beyond, becoming a widely recognized name around the world. Today, Jacqueline remains a popular choice for parents looking for a classic yet elegant name for their daughter.
The name Jacqueline has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the years in the United States. From 1923 to 1964, the number of babies named Jacqueline ranged from a low of 7 births in 1923 to a high of 76 births in 1964.
The name reached its peak popularity between 1980 and 2000, with over 100 births each year during that period. The highest number of Jacqueline births occurred in 1999, with 688 babies being named Jacqueline that year. However, this popularity was short-lived, as the number of Jacqueline births began to decline sharply after 2000.
From 2000 to 2023, the number of Jacqueline births has dropped significantly, from a high of 1200 births in 2000 to just 67 births in 2023. This represents a significant decrease in popularity for the name Jacqueline over the past two decades.
In total, there have been 15,371 babies named Jacqueline born in the United States between 1923 and 2023. While the name was once quite popular, it has since fallen out of favor among parents choosing names for their daughters. Despite this decline in popularity, Jacqueline remains a classic and timeless name with a rich history.