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Jessica as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Jessica

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The baby name Jessica is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈdʒɛsɪkə/ (JESS-ih-kə).

Jessica is Hebrew in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 3.0
Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒɛsɪkə/ (JESS-ih-kə)

What is the meaning of the name Jessica ?

The baby name Jessica is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈdʒɛsɪkə/ (JESS-ih-kə).

Jessica is Hebrew in Origin.

Jessica traces to Shakespeare, who introduced it in The Merchant of Venice (1596) as the name of Shylock’s daughter. He likely adapted the biblical Hebrew name Yiskah (Iscah), derived from a root meaning “to see, gaze,” hence “foresight” or “one who is beheld.” Through early forms such as Jesca, the -ica ending yielded the familiar English Jessica.

Usage remained uncommon until the 18th–19th centuries in Britain, then spread throughout the English‑speaking world. The name surged on late‑20th‑century charts, especially in the United States and United Kingdom, where it ranked among the most given girls’ names of the 1980s and 1990s. Diminutives and short forms include Jess, Jessie, and Jessa. International variants and spellings include Jéssica (Portuguese), Yésica/Yessica (Spanish), Gessica (Italian), Jesika/Jessika (Scandinavian and Slavic), and Xhesika (Albanian). The name’s prevailing sense emphasizes vision, perception, or “to behold,” aligning with its Hebrew roots.

Jessica has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Jessica

Jessica Alba Actor · Born 1981 · Canada Jessica Alba is an American actress best known for her role in the TV series Dark Angel. She also starred in popular films like Fantastic Four and Sin City. Although she was born in the United States, she has become a well-known figure in the entertainment industry. Jessica Simpson Actor · Born 1980 · United States Jessica Simpson is an American singer and actress who gained fame with her debut album 'Sweet Kisses' and the hit single 'I Wanna Love You Forever'. She also starred in the reality TV show 'Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica' alongside her then-husband Nick Lachey. In addition to her music and television career, she has built a successful fashion empire. Jessica Biel Actor · Born 1982 · United States Jessica Biel is an American actress best known for her role as Mary Camden in the TV series '7th Heaven'. She has also starred in films like 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and 'The Illusionist'.
Jessica Chastain Actor · Born 1977 · United States Jessica Chastain is an American actor best known for her roles in films like 'Zero Dark Thirty' and 'The Help'. She has received critical acclaim for her performances and has been nominated for several awards. Chastain's work often highlights strong, complex female characters. Jessica Szohr Actor · Born 1985 · United States Jessica Szohr is an American actress best known for her role as Vanessa Abrams on the popular TV series Gossip Girl. She has also appeared in films like Piranha 3D and The Internship. Jessica Capshaw Actor · Born 1976 · United States Jessica Capshaw is an American actress best known for her role as Dr. Arizona Robbins on the television series Grey's Anatomy. She brought warmth and depth to the character, becoming a fan favorite over her decade-long tenure on the show.

Celebrity babies named Jessica

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Jessica Capshaw Kate Capshaw television actor ★★★★★ Steven Spielberg film producer ★★★★★
Jessica Springsteen Bruce Springsteen film director ★★★★★
Jessica Burton Richard Burton film director ★★★★★
Jessica Lee Morgan Mary Hopkin singer ★★★★★ Tony Visconti singer ★★★★★

Jessica – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 2025 #1 — 874
Germany Girls 2021 #1 — 416
LU Girls 0 #6 389 4,850
CN Girls 0 #11 1,331 8,829
HT 0 #12 1 399
TW Girls 0 #12 633 8,139
LU 0 #13 61 2,830
MT Girls 0 #13 228 3,773
NA 0 #13 21 2,537
KR Girls 0 #14 2 572
TW 0 #14 96 4,523
EC Girls 0 #15 595 3,650
HT Girls 0 #15 9 950
BW 0 #16 4 960
New Zealand Girls 2010 #17 179 98
SV Girls 0 #17 2 458
BR Girls 0 #19 14,569 12,708
CN 0 #19 74 3,857
CR Girls 0 #20 2,888 11,342
CR 0 #21 193 5,526
HN 0 #21 2 704
HN Girls 0 #24 13 884
PR Girls 0 #25 242 3,171
BN 0 #27 6 2,297
ID 0 #28 12 2,238
DJ Girls 0 #29 1 488
MO 0 #29 24 2,706
CL Girls 0 #31 12,921 14,098
Germany Girls 0 #31 11,141 4,949
MT 0 #31 13 1,767
PE Girls 0 #31 10,517 14,861
MO Girls 0 #32 372 7,056
HT Boys 0 #34 1 903
MV Girls 0 #35 1 2,021
TM Girls 0 #35 1 574
EE 0 #36 2 1,051
PH Girls 0 #36 737 13,098
PR 0 #36 20 1,497
PE 0 #43 455 6,350
IT Girls 1999 #44 1,166 49
HK Girls 0 #46 2,714 16,104
SG Girls 0 #47 1,832 18,916
CM 0 #50 7 2,592
PH 0 #51 46 5,607
Austria Girls 2006 #53 126 59
JM 0 #53 35 3,714
AO 0 #54 23 2,729
AO Girls 0 #55 215 4,575
BR 0 #55 603 5,969
CY 0 #58 3 1,632
JP 0 #58 20 4,057
NA Girls 0 #58 230 7,146
EC 0 #59 58 2,502
PA 0 #59 73 3,797
MU Girls 0 #60 673 8,539
SG 0 #61 275 11,010
NL Girls 0 #62 5,184 5,933
BW Girls 0 #63 95 4,216
ID Girls 0 #63 36 3,319
JM Girls 0 #63 310 7,507
PA Girls 0 #63 1,123 9,861
ZA 0 #63 548 14,421
IT Girls 0 #66 46,899 9,415
IN 0 #67 5 2,963
BN Girls 0 #69 38 5,459
UY Girls 0 #70 1,920 6,731
ZA Girls 0 #70 6,058 25,928
CO Girls 0 #74 15,242 16,140
MX 0 #74 752 8,339
AL 0 #75 2 2,372
AZ Girls 0 #75 1 1,051
QA 0 #75 26 7,011
HK 0 #77 422 8,483
MX Girls 0 #77 12,768 17,781
CL 0 #78 898 6,867
Germany 0 #78 791 2,542
NG Girls 0 #78 4,087 15,093
SI 0 #79 2 1,612
PT Girls 0 #80 1,997 7,952
BG 0 #81 2 1,799
IT 0 #86 3,895 4,183
MY Girls 0 #86 3,340 24,821
Spain Girls 0 #92 9,005 5,561
AF Girls 0 #93 2 2,402
CO 0 #94 1,277 7,768
GT Girls 0 #94 933 7,500
MU 0 #96 43 3,613
OM 0 #101 16 6,215
SD 0 #101 2 2,130
Austria Girls 0 #104 786 1,885
KW 0 #105 12 5,216
CY Girls 0 #106 16 3,755
GE Girls 0 #108 1 1,564
NL 0 #108 395 2,481
GH Girls 0 #112 398 6,973
UY 0 #112 68 2,477
HU 0 #114 2 1,675
QA Girls 0 #114 228 15,378
BO Girls 0 #117 1,519 9,488
MY 0 #117 244 12,352
JP Girls 0 #120 147 6,592
Norway Girls 2025 #122 5 453
Finland Girls 0 #124 780 1,368
EE Girls 0 #128 11 1,888
PT 0 #128 157 4,161
Switzerland Girls 2024 #129 7 1,786
AE Girls 0 #131 563 20,968
IQ 0 #131 3 3,533
GR 0 #134 2 3,911
ID Boys 0 #134 2 4,130
JO 0 #134 7 2,158
RS Girls 0 #134 4 1,651
AE 0 #138 40 10,220
Austria 0 #140 77 850
Spain 0 #144 529 2,326
Finland Girls 2026 #150 3,552 3,895
AR 0 #151 36 2,915
BW Boys 0 #154 1 4,685
PL Girls 0 #156 390 5,096
GH 0 #159 90 5,396
Sweden Girls 2022 #163 17 1,568
KW Girls 0 #168 422 19,177
Finland 0 #169 166 830
GT 0 #169 158 5,948
NG 0 #170 96 5,926
SI Girls 0 #171 7 2,769
DK 0 #173 31 5,198
HU Boys 0 #174 1 3,954
RU 0 #174 16 3,641
CZ 0 #176 10 3,154
MT Boys 0 #176 4 4,064
CM Girls 0 #177 588 11,671
DK Girls 0 #177 163 7,429
OM Girls 0 #177 232 15,987
PR Boys 0 #178 1 2,508
HR 0 #179 3 2,081
Belgium Girls 2016 #188 22 419
PS 0 #188 31 5,692
HU Girls 0 #194 30 3,308
AL Girls 0 #196 27 4,141
LT Girls 0 #197 4 1,904
PL 0 #198 15 2,600
BO 0 #201 201 6,868
BG Girls 0 #202 22 3,559
LB 0 #202 806 13,263
GR Girls 0 #205 38 6,293
AR Girls 0 #208 828 8,289
SI Boys 0 #211 1 3,402
Canada Girls 2024 #213 73 2,795
BD 0 #218 10 5,992
IL 0 #218 57 6,291
BG Boys 0 #220 1 3,850
LU Boys 0 #220 1 4,970
IR 0 #223 9 4,221
CZ Girls 0 #226 124 5,378
MO Boys 0 #232 3 5,842
EC Boys 0 #243 4 3,322
AO Boys 0 #245 5 5,568
NA Boys 0 #249 5 6,830
TW Boys 0 #251 6 7,111
SA 0 #267 29 10,560
HR Girls 0 #268 22 3,687
JO Girls 0 #270 56 7,570
GR Boys 0 #273 1 6,912
JM Boys 0 #289 5 6,876
KZ Boys 0 #296 1 6,578
Canada Boys 1997 #301 5 1,830
AL Boys 0 #303 1 5,122
JP Boys 0 #303 1 7,909
KZ Girls 0 #304 17 5,862
CZ Boys 0 #305 1 6,530
PS Girls 0 #312 236 10,981
SD Girls 0 #312 34 7,678
CN Boys 0 #323 9 9,639
BD Girls 0 #324 63 8,413
DK Boys 0 #332 1 7,401
GH Boys 0 #333 13 8,138
PL Boys 0 #338 3 6,459
France Girls 2021 #343 63 3,185
PT Boys 0 #348 20 7,951
SA Girls 0 #348 746 25,931
IL Girls 0 #351 312 11,648
MU Boys 0 #364 6 8,477
RU Girls 0 #364 138 11,913
YE 0 #364 18 8,639
PH Boys 0 #370 14 11,440
EG 0 #376 25 6,387
UY Boys 0 #383 17 5,922
IR Girls 0 #405 127 8,334
BH 0 #415 139 17,937
IQ Girls 0 #435 70 11,303
United States Girls 2024 #460 526 8,487
GT Boys 0 #463 12 7,625
EG Girls 0 #465 675 14,742
PA Boys 0 #466 16 9,305
SD Boys 0 #466 1 10,523
CR Boys 0 #471 17 10,188
AR Boys 0 #475 9 7,628
RU Boys 0 #491 15 12,621
IN Girls 0 #498 134 13,121
LY 0 #500 36 12,703
HK Boys 0 #507 21 12,905
SY 0 #528 211 11,684
CM Boys 0 #532 19 12,054
BR Boys 0 #552 207 12,213
PS Boys 0 #558 4 10,655
IR Boys 0 #564 2 10,162
BO Boys 0 #575 18 9,244
CL Boys 0 #575 91 13,390
BD Boys 0 #602 4 10,045
IL Boys 0 #620 6 10,983
SG Boys 0 #679 19 17,960
IQ Boys 0 #690 8 13,071
QA Boys 0 #691 17 18,093
TN 0 #714 116 13,765
KW Boys 0 #744 26 18,755
PE Boys 0 #800 79 14,506
CO Boys 0 #807 114 15,656
MA 0 #824 312 20,986
OM Boys 0 #843 39 17,948
MX Boys 0 #860 123 16,355
EG Boys 0 #870 17 15,035
NG Boys 0 #878 74 16,906
United States Boys 2016 #893 5 7,365
Spain Boys 0 #894 37 5,610
Germany Boys 0 #927 26 5,697
NL Boys 0 #940 12 5,873
IN Boys 0 #988 14 16,750
DZ 0 #998 179 20,130
TR 0 #1,054 158 19,440
MY Boys 0 #1,055 57 25,439
ZA Boys 0 #1,069 110 25,619
AE Boys 0 #1,073 20 22,615
IT Boys 0 #1,135 339 10,046
SA Boys 0 #1,560 55 28,008

Jessica is popular in 97 countries — most recent births per country:

France
Ireland
Norway
Scotland, United Kingdom
Canada

Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!

People also ask about Jessica

Jessica is predominantly a girl's name.
Jessica is a 3 syllable name, pronounced /ˈdʒɛsɪkə/ (JESS-ih-kə).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Jéssica, Jesica, Jessika, Jesika, Yessica and Jess.
Across languages, Jessica has these equivalents: Iscah (Hebrew יִסְכָּה), Iesca (medieval form), Jeska (diminutive/cognate).
Yes, very popular — Jessica ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 15 countries.
Jessica ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Jessica's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #1 in 2015 to #1 in 2025 in Ireland.
Yes — 22 notable people named Jessica are in our database, including Jessica Alba (Actor), Jessica Simpson (Actor), Jessica Biel (Actor).
Yes — at least 4 celebrity couples have chosen Jessica for their child, including Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg.