Jessica is a female given name of English origin, derived from the Latin name "Irene," which means "peace." The name has been popular throughout history and has been associated with various historical figures.
The earliest known use of the name Jessica can be traced back to Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice," written around 1596. In the play, Jessica is the daughter of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. She elopes with Lorenzo, a Christian, and converts to Christianity. This character portrayal has likely contributed to the name's popularity in English-speaking countries.
The name Jessica gained further popularity in the 20th century, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s. It was ranked among the top 10 most popular names for girls in several years during this period. Today, it remains a popular choice for parents looking to give their daughters a classic yet distinctive name.
Overall, Jessica is a name with a rich history and a timeless appeal. Its meaning of "peace" makes it a fitting choice for parents seeking a positive and meaningful name for their daughter.
Jessica is a popular girl's name in the United States, with an interesting history of usage over time. According to data from the Social Security Administration, there were only five babies named Jessica born in the entire year of 1990 across the country. This is a notably low number compared to other years and decades.
However, when looking at the total births recorded that year in the United States, which numbered around four million, this figure becomes even more striking. Out of all those newborns, only five were given the name Jessica.
This statistical insight provides a glimpse into how rare and unique the name Jessica was during that particular year. It is always fascinating to explore such data points to gain insights into trends and patterns in naming practices over time.