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Jess as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Jess

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The baby name Jess is a Unisex name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced /dʒɛs/.

Gender: Unisex
Syllables: 1.0
Pronunciation: /dʒɛs/

What is the meaning of the name Jess ?

The baby name Jess is a Unisex name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced /dʒɛs/.

Jess is in Origin.

Jess is a compact, gender-neutral name commonly used as a short form of Jessica or Jesse. Through Jessica, it traces to Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (1596), where the character’s name likely derives from the Hebrew Yiskāh/Iskah, meaning “to behold” or “God beholds.” Through Jesse, it reaches back to the Hebrew Yishai, traditionally interpreted as “gift” or “Yahweh exists,” known as the name of King David’s father. Jess has appeared independently in English records since the 19th century, with broader use in the late 20th century alongside the surge of Jessica, and long-standing male use linked to Jesse in North America.

Variants and related forms include Jess, Jes, Jessy, Jessie, Jessi, and Jessa; longer forms are Jessica (also Yesica/Yessica in Spanish) and Jesse. In some families, Jess abbreviates Jessie (a Scottish pet form of Janet/Jean) or, more rarely, Jasper/Jesper. Meanings center on sight/vision and divine gift.

Jess has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Jess

Jessica Mauboy Actor · Born 1989 · Australia Jessica Mauboy is an Australian singer and actress who gained fame as a runner-up on Australian Idol in 2006. She is well-known for her hit songs like 'Burn' and 'Little Things', and she starred in the film 'The Sapphires'. Jessica Henwick Actor · Born 1992 · United Kingdom Jessica Henwick is a British actor best known for her role as Nymeria Sand in the television series Game of Thrones. She also starred in the Netflix series Iron Fist and appeared in the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Jessalyn Gilsig Actor · Born 1971 · Canada Jessalyn Gilsig is a Canadian actor best known for her role as Terri Schuester on the television series Glee. She also appeared in the series Vikings and Boston Public. Born in 1971, she has made a significant impact on television with her versatile performances.
Jess Harnell Actor · Born 1963 · United States Jess Harnell is an American voice actor and singer best known for voicing Wakko Warner in Animaniacs. He’s also known for roles like Captain Hero in Drawn Together and Crash Bandicoot in the Crash Bandicoot franchise. Jess Barker Actor · Born 1912 · United States Jess Barker was an American actor best known for his role in the film 'Cover Girl' alongside Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly. He appeared in several films during the 1940s and 1950s, contributing to the golden age of Hollywood. His career spanned various genres, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

Celebrity babies named Jess

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Jess Hill Terence Hill television actor ★★★★★

Jess – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 2025 #1 — 874
BI 0 #12 1 425
SV Girls 0 #18 1 458
BN 0 #32 1 2,297
MV Girls 0 #34 2 2,021
TM Girls 0 #35 1 574
DJ Boys 0 #36 1 657
MT 0 #40 4 1,767
MO 0 #51 2 2,706
LU 0 #54 13 2,830
AL 0 #76 1 2,372
JP 0 #77 1 4,057
PH 0 #77 20 5,607
CN 0 #82 5 3,857
QA 0 #87 14 7,011
TW 0 #88 13 4,523
BN Girls 0 #91 16 5,459
JM 0 #93 1 3,714
KZ 0 #94 1 1,452
OM 0 #106 11 6,215
HU 0 #115 1 1,675
EC 0 #117 5 2,502
KW 0 #117 5 5,216
BN Boys 0 #123 11 6,332
CY Girls 0 #123 3 3,755
LU Girls 0 #129 58 4,850
MT Girls 0 #130 22 3,773
MU 0 #132 6 3,613
ID Boys 0 #135 1 4,130
CR 0 #137 22 5,526
PA 0 #138 1 3,797
BW Girls 0 #143 9 4,216
MY 0 #148 199 12,352
SG Girls 0 #152 731 18,916
BW Boys 0 #153 2 4,685
PR Girls 0 #163 5 3,171
UY 0 #167 11 2,477
AE 0 #168 10 10,220
PR Boys 0 #175 4 2,508
SI Girls 0 #177 1 2,769
MT Boys 0 #178 2 4,064
SG 0 #178 92 11,010
HR 0 #181 1 2,081
DK 0 #185 19 5,198
CZ 0 #186 1 3,154
AR 0 #187 7 2,915
MY Girls 0 #189 1,863 24,821
RU 0 #194 1 3,641
PH Boys 0 #198 208 11,440
MO Girls 0 #199 53 7,056
LT Girls 0 #200 1 1,904
EC Girls 0 #203 37 3,650
MO Boys 0 #203 21 5,842
NA Girls 0 #215 10 7,146
AO Girls 0 #216 2 4,575
LU Boys 0 #217 4 4,970
HU Girls 0 #224 2 3,308
AL Girls 0 #225 3 4,141
PS 0 #225 2 5,692
TW Boys 0 #227 15 7,111
AO Boys 0 #231 12 5,568
BG Girls 0 #231 1 3,559
PT 0 #234 13 4,161
DK Boys 0 #236 90 7,401
BD 0 #240 2 5,992
TW Girls 0 #242 35 8,139
EC Boys 0 #246 1 3,322
HK 0 #248 103 8,483
JP Girls 0 #248 4 6,592
GR Girls 0 #249 1 6,293
NA Boys 0 #251 3 6,830
SA 0 #260 36 10,560
HK Girls 0 #262 497 16,104
PH Girls 0 #265 127 13,098
MX 0 #268 151 8,339
JM Girls 0 #270 9 7,507
NG 0 #271 2 5,926
GR Boys 0 #272 2 6,912
IL 0 #278 5 6,291
MU Girls 0 #278 74 8,539
QA Girls 0 #290 27 15,378
PE 0 #298 13 6,350
Canada Girls 2007 #301 5 2,781
AL Boys 0 #301 3 5,122
JP Boys 0 #303 1 7,909
CZ Boys 0 #304 2 6,530
CN Boys 0 #307 13 9,639
CN Girls 0 #313 37 8,829
CZ Girls 0 #314 28 5,378
Canada Boys 2007 #315 5 2,287
DK Girls 0 #322 8 7,429
KZ Girls 0 #327 6 5,862
GH Girls 0 #329 9 6,973
GT 0 #330 9 5,948
MU Boys 0 #333 25 8,477
JO Girls 0 #338 2 7,570
BR 0 #356 5 5,969
SD Girls 0 #357 2 7,678
GH Boys 0 #358 4 8,138
NL 0 #359 33 2,481
PL Girls 0 #363 2 5,096
ZA 0 #363 85 14,421
CR Girls 0 #367 170 11,342
OM Girls 0 #376 21 15,987
PT Boys 0 #378 4 7,951
France Boys 2021 #385 3 2,865
Spain 0 #388 65 2,326
JO Boys 0 #388 2 7,057
CL 0 #389 23 6,867
YE 0 #396 3 8,639
France Girls 2017 #402 3 3,248
BO 0 #402 7 6,868
Germany 0 #402 36 2,542
MX Girls 0 #404 1,803 17,781
BD Girls 0 #405 2 8,413
UY Girls 0 #409 103 6,731
Austria Girls 0 #411 10 1,885
EG 0 #411 2 6,387
UY Boys 0 #412 2 5,922
PT Girls 0 #420 32 7,952
CO 0 #432 49 7,768
PA Girls 0 #446 36 9,861
RU Girls 0 #454 45 11,913
GT Girls 0 #460 46 7,500
SD Boys 0 #466 1 10,523
KW Girls 0 #467 49 19,177
CR Boys 0 #473 15 10,188
AR Boys 0 #478 6 7,628
HK Boys 0 #485 43 12,905
AE Girls 0 #486 68 20,968
GT Boys 0 #496 4 7,625
PA Boys 0 #500 6 9,305
PS Girls 0 #503 21 10,981
IR Girls 0 #504 27 8,334
AR Girls 0 #510 90 8,289
CM Girls 0 #513 28 11,671
RU Boys 0 #518 9 12,621
BH 0 #519 35 17,937
IQ Girls 0 #520 6 11,303
CM Boys 0 #537 14 12,054
BO Girls 0 #550 62 9,488
PS Boys 0 #555 7 10,655
LY 0 #557 3 12,703
IR Boys 0 #564 2 10,162
Germany Girls 0 #568 299 4,949
Spain Girls 0 #584 448 5,561
LB 0 #589 70 13,263
IL Girls 0 #594 24 11,648
IL Boys 0 #597 11 10,983
BD Boys 0 #600 6 10,045
BO Boys 0 #617 6 9,244
IN Girls 0 #617 15 13,121
QA Boys 0 #637 71 18,093
IT 0 #646 69 4,183
SG Boys 0 #647 51 17,960
CL Boys 0 #655 11 13,390
PE Girls 0 #677 279 14,861
IQ Boys 0 #691 7 13,071
ZA Girls 0 #693 533 25,928
MX Boys 0 #702 289 16,355
KW Boys 0 #715 55 18,755
CL Girls 0 #738 114 14,098
BR Boys 0 #742 10 12,213
CO Girls 0 #748 357 16,140
NG Girls 0 #752 35 15,093
NL Girls 0 #760 197 5,933
SY 0 #761 7 11,684
TN 0 #796 34 13,765
PE Boys 0 #828 51 14,506
OM Boys 0 #838 44 17,948
SA Girls 0 #838 98 25,931
United States Boys 2024 #871 22 7,044
Spain Boys 0 #873 58 5,610
CO Boys 0 #874 47 15,656
BR Girls 0 #876 66 12,708
NL Boys 0 #904 48 5,873
United States Girls 2024 #910 7 8,487
EG Boys 0 #922 4 15,035
EG Girls 0 #924 36 14,742
Germany Boys 0 #936 17 5,697
NG Boys 0 #937 15 16,906
MY Boys 0 #980 132 25,439
IN Boys 0 #990 12 16,750
AE Boys 0 #992 101 22,615
MA 0 #1,078 51 20,986
ZA Boys 0 #1,120 59 25,619
IT Girls 0 #1,128 322 9,415
SA Boys 0 #1,132 520 28,008
DZ 0 #1,133 44 20,130
TR 0 #1,182 30 19,440
IT Boys 0 #1,387 85 10,046

Jess is popular in 84 countries — most recent births per country:

France
Scotland, United Kingdom
United States
Ireland
Canada

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People also ask about Jess

Jess is a unisex name, given to both boys and girls.
Jess is a one syllable name, pronounced /dʒɛs/.
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Jessie, Jessi, Jessy, Jessa, Jessika and Jessah.
Across languages, Jess has these equivalents: Jessica (English), Jesse / Yishai (Hebrew), Yiskah/Iskah (Hebrew origin of Jessica).
Yes, very popular — Jess ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 6 countries.
Jess ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Yes — 5 notable people named Jess are in our database, including Jessica Mauboy (Actor), Jessica Henwick (Actor), Jessalyn Gilsig (Actor).
Yes — at least 1 celebrity couple has chosen Jess for their child, including Terence Hill.