Jessica

femaleBiblical Hebrew, via a Shakespearean literary coinage

Coined by William Shakespeare for his 1596 play The Merchant of Venice, where it belongs to Shylock's daughter — likely based on the biblical name Iscah, also spelled Jescha/Jischa in some translations of Shakespeare's time.

Origin: Biblical Hebrew, via a Shakespearean literary coinage

Official popularity data is available for 7 regions, from 1964 to 2025. Highest recorded position: #1 in New Zealand in 2002. See regions.

Jessica: Recorded since 1964, it reached #1 in 1984, and it stood at #139 in 2025.

7registrars recorded it
263times a registrar ranked it
62years from first to last
#1highest recorded position
49groupings it qualifies for
80names it appears alongside

What stands out in Jessica's record

Ranked inside the top 10 by 4 registrars, and #1 in 3 of them. Names by top-10 reach
Held a top-100 place for 49 years running. Names by top-100 run
England and Wales registered 6,711 births with the name in 1996, its largest count from any one registrar. Names by yearly birth count
Held at least one birth in every 2,000 for 42 years. Names by sustained share

JESS-ih-kuh/ˈd͡ʒɛs.ɪ.kə/

Compare Jessica Run Name Checker on Jessica

Data Confidence

Evidence: ModerateCompleteness: SubstantialEditorial review: 2026-07-21

Confidence in the evidencebehind this name's data — never a rating of the name itself, and never affected by how well it matches your preferences. How this is assessed

Because: backed by officially or academically authoritative sources, recently verified, popularity data covers multiple regions.

Source authority

Averaged from the real per-claim source-authority assessments already computed for this name's meaning/origin/pronunciation/popularity evidence.

Independent corroboration

Averaged from the real per-claim supporting-source counts already computed for this name's evidence.

See full evidence assessment (8 dimensions, 1 not yet tracked)

Source agreement

No recorded source disagreement for this name's meanings or origins.

Recency

Calculated from how long ago this record was last verified (2026-07-21), against a 270-day staleness threshold.

Geographic relevance

Calculated from the number of geographies with official popularity data (7) — broader official coverage means the evidence base is relevant to more of where the name is actually used.

Completeness

Calculated from how many of the expected data sections (variants, similar names, popularity, notable usage, IPA pronunciation) are actually populated for this name.

Direct observation vs. inference

Averaged from the real per-claim direct-observation-vs-inference ratios already computed for this name's evidence.

Identity & variant resolution quality

Cross-source identity and variant resolution requires HEKNO Knowledge, which isn't connected yet.

Name Characteristics

How these are calculated

Descriptive attributes of the name itself — not a confidence measurement, and not an overall quality score. Namewise doesn't approve or disapprove of names.

Pronunciation clarity

Editorial judgement of how consistently this name is pronounced correctly on first read, mapped from an easy/moderate/variable rating to a number. Describes the name — not a measure of evidence confidence.

Spelling simplicity

Calculated directly from the name's spelling: shorter names with fewer irregular letter clusters score higher. A disclosed formula, not an editorial opinion — and not a confidence measurement.

Recorded regional spread

Derived from how many geographies' official statistics record this name. It measures where the name is registered, not how well-known it feels to people living there.

International spread

Derived from the same official statistical coverage, scaled to reflect how widely the name crosses national datasets. Not a measure of how easily it is understood in another language.

Trend stability

Derived from the name's traditional/modern classification and its current popularity trend direction.

Overview

Origin: Biblical Hebrew, via a Shakespearean literary coinage
Meaning: Coined by William Shakespeare for his 1596 play The Merchant of Venice, where it belongs to Shylock's daughter — likely based on the biblical name Iscah, also spelled Jescha/Jischa in some translations of Shakespeare's time.
Pronunciation: JESS-ih-kuh
Syllables: 3
Common nicknames: None recorded
Classification: Traditional & modern
Gender usage: female
Language family: Biblical Hebrew, via a Shakespearean literary coinage

Popularity

Region

Falling

among girls in England and Wales · 1996–2025

View as table

England and Wales · Girls rank by year
Year	Rank
1996	#3
1997	#4
1998	#4
1999	#8
2000	#4
2001	#4
2002	#3
2003	#4
2004	#3
2005	#1
2006	#3
2007	#5
2008	#5
2009	#6
2010	#6
2011	#4
2012	#3
2013	#6
2014	#8
2015	#7
2016	#8
2017	#15
2018	#25
2019	#33
2020	#37
2021	#49
2022	#69
2023	#83
2024	#95
2025	#139

VerifiedSource: Office for National Statistics — Baby Names in England and Wales.Confidence: high.

See all England and Wales names · Source: Office for National Statistics — Baby Names in England and Wales

What the data shows

FallingEngland and Wales · Girls

Recorded in official data among girls in Norway in 59 of the 62 years from 1964 to 2025.

In 2025: #139 among girls in England and Wales, #141 among girls in Republic of Ireland, #474 among girls in Norway.

Official data from 7 national registrars across 7 regions, 1964–2025 · Office for National Statistics. Data sources

Popularity journey

First recorded1964
First recorded at #471 among girls in Norway in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #139 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls

Jessica appears in 6 of the published lists Namewise holds. The longest record is Republic of Ireland · Girls, with 60 ranked years and 9,306 births registered; the earliest is Norway · Girls, from 1964.

Jessica across 6 official records

Each registrar publishes its own list, so these figures are read down a row, never across one. A position in one country is not comparable with a position in another, and Namewise never combines them into a single ranking. The birth counts do not compare across rows either, for a different reason: England and Wales registers roughly thirty times as many births a year as Northern Ireland, so a larger total says which registrar recorded it as much as how widely the name was given.

Jessica's first, highest and most recent recorded position in each official list, with the number of births each registrar registered with the name and its largest single year
Published list	First recorded	Highest	Most recent	Years recorded	Births registered	Most in one year
Norway · Girls	#471 (1964)	#143 (2010)	#474 (2025)	59 of 62	1,113 (1964–2025)	47 (2010)
Republic of Ireland · Girls	#380 (1966)	#12 (1995)	#141 (2025)	60 of 60	9,306 (1966–2025)	362 (1995)
New Zealand · Girls	#65 (1977)	#1 (1990)	#85 (2019)	43 of 43	13,079 (1977–2019)	602 (1990)
New South Wales, Australia · Girls	#96 (1976)	#1 (1984)	#96 (2017)	42 of 42	29,127 (1976–2017)	1,648 (1990)
England and Wales · Girls	#3 (1996)	#1 (2005)	#139 (2025)	30 of 30	105,392 (1996–2025)	6,711 (1996)
Northern Ireland · Girls	#15 (1997)	#4 (2008)	#127 (2024)	28 of 28	3,312 (1997–2024)	206 (2008)

Where the highest position is not the biggest year

Inside a single year a registrar's ranking is its birth counts put in order, so the top of a list is always the name given to the most babies that year. Across years the two separate, because the number of births and the number of names sharing them both change.

In England and Wales · Girls the name reached its highest position, #1, in 2005, when 5,030 births were registered with it. More were registered in 1996 — 6,711 — in a year it ranked #3.

Jessica by decade in Republic of Ireland · Girls

Births registered with the name in each decade of this one list, with the number of years the list covers in that decade. Bars are scaled on births a year, which is the figure that compares between decades — a decade the list only partly covers has a smaller total without being a quieter decade. Figures belong to this registrar alone and do not carry to another.

Births registered with Jessica in Republic of Ireland · Girls, by decade, with years covered and the average per year
Decade	Births registered	Years covered	A year
1960s	15	4 of 10	4
1970s	274	10 of 10	27
1980s	1,155	10 of 10	116
1990s	2,796	10 of 10	280
2000sbusiest	2,872	10 of 10	287
2010s	1,806	10 of 10	181
2020s	388	6 of 10	65

Across Republic of Ireland · Girls, the 2000s were its busiest decade, averaging 287 births a year.

Its sharpest single-year move came between 1989 and 1990, when recorded births rose by 85, from 144 to 229.

See the names Republic of Irelandhas recorded the most births with →

Jessica appears in

Groupings this name qualifies for under their own stated rules, from the same official statistics shown above.

What the record shows

Recorded by 7 registrars between 1964 and 2025, ranked in 61 years of that period.

Its highest recorded position is #1, first reached in 1984.

It held a top-100 place in 49 years, 49 of them consecutive.

Its largest count from any one registrar is 6,711 births, registered in England and Wales in 1996.

4 registrars ranked it inside their own top 10. It reached #1 in 3 registrars' lists.

Its record falls into 2 separate stretches, with a longest absence of 1 year.

A second registrar first ranked it in 1966, and 60 years separate the first registrar to record it from the last.

Every figure here is counted from the seven official registrars Namewise holds. A position is only ever a place within the list that published it, and a record that thins or stops is a fact about what registrars printed — never about how many children received the name.

Jessica was ranked #1 in England and Wales · Girls in 2005. These are the names immediately either side of it on that published list — a fact about the registrar's own output, not a similarity judgement.

Where to go next

Records with a comparable body of evidence, so the catalogue can be read outward from this one. Each group states the rule it was selected by.

Next in the catalogue

The records either side of this one alphabetically.

Jesse · #18, 45y
Jesse-James · #1152, 20y
Jessica-Rose · #1327, 23y
Jessie · #46, 42y

A comparable record

Records held by the same 7 registrars, over a similar number of ranked years, whose highest position is closest to this one. A similar body of evidence — never a claim that the names themselves are alike.

Amelia · #1, 59y
Emily · #1, 62y
Isabella · #1, 59y
Jason · #1, 62y

Also first recorded in the 1960s

Records whose earliest ranking in Namewise's registrar data also falls between 1960 and 1969.

Amelia · #1, 59y
Aoife · #1, 62y
Conor · #1, 62y
Emily · #1, 62y

Comparisons involving Jessica

Existing comparison pages where Jessica and another name were ranked in the same published list, in the same years, on the same scale. Each has its own evidence; none of them says the names are alike.

Longest shared records

Names ranked alongside Jessica in the same published list across at least 25 years.

Jessica vs Megan
In 1996 they stood at #3 and #10 in England and Wales · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #139 and #816.
Jessica · Megan · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
See the 2025 England and Wales ranking
Jessica vs Bethany
In 1996 they stood at #3 and #13 in England and Wales · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #139 and #585.
Jessica · Bethany · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
See the 2025 England and Wales ranking
Jessica vs Aisling
Over 60 shared years in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Jessica rose about as far as Aisling fell — from #380 and #100 in 1966 to #141 and #180 in 2025.
Jessica · Aisling · 60 shared years, 1966–2025 · Mirrored each other
See the 2025 Republic of Ireland ranking

Closest long-running positions

Names that stayed close to Jessica within one registrar's list over many years. A gap measured inside that list, never across registrars.

Emma vs Jessica
Across 43 shared years in New Zealand · Girls, Emma and Jessica averaged 10.7 places apart, ending at #27 and #85.
Emma · Jessica · 43 shared years, 1977–2019 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2019 New Zealand ranking
Jessica vs Hannah
Across 28 shared years in Northern Ireland · Girls, Jessica and Hannah averaged 11.4 places apart, ending at #127 and #57.
Jessica · Hannah · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2024 Northern Ireland ranking
Jessica vs Niamh
Across 28 shared years in Northern Ireland · Girls, Jessica and Niamh averaged 13.1 places apart, ending at #127 and #47.
Jessica · Niamh · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2024 Northern Ireland ranking

Order changes

Pairs where Jessica and another name exchanged position in a published list, taken as the final meaningful change.

Emily vs Jessica
In 2001, Emily moved ahead of Jessica in New South Wales, Australia · Girls — #2 and #1 the year before became #1 and #2.
Emily · Jessica · 41 shared years, 1977–2017 · One moved ahead of the other
See the 2001 New South Wales, Australia ranking
Jessica vs Isabella
In 2007, Isabella moved ahead of Jessica in New South Wales, Australia · Girls — #6 and #7 the year before became #10 and #1.
Jessica · Isabella · 25 shared years, 1993–2017 · One moved ahead of the other
See the 2007 New South Wales, Australia ranking
Rebecca vs Jessica
In 1984, Jessica moved ahead of Rebecca in New South Wales, Australia · Girls — #1 and #3 the year before became #3 and #1.
Rebecca · Jessica · 33 shared years, 1976–2008 · One moved ahead of the other
See the 1984 New South Wales, Australia ranking

Compared inside New South Wales, Australia lists

Pairs involving Jessica measured in New South Wales, Australia's own published lists — the registrar that recorded Jessica at its highest position.

Jessica vs Anna
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Girls within 2 years — Jessica #1 in 1984, Anna #35 in 1986.
Jessica · Anna · 42 shared years, 1976–2017 · Peaked in the same years
See the 1986 New South Wales, Australia ranking
Jessica vs Ashley
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Girls within 2 years — Jessica #1 in 1985, Ashley #17 in 1987.
Jessica · Ashley · 26 shared years, 1985–2011 · Peaked in the same years
See the 1987 New South Wales, Australia ranking
Jessica vs Elise
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Girls within 2 years — Jessica #1 in 1985, Elise #49 in 1987.
Jessica · Elise · 11 shared years, 1985–2014 · Peaked in the same years
See the 1987 New South Wales, Australia ranking

New South Wales, Australia overview→

Jessica and the names beside it

Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale, in the same year, by the same registrar — so these are positions that genuinely passed each other, not a similarity judgement. Drawn from the 2,577 names with a recorded popularity standing (common, familiar, uncommon), so a name outside that set could have passed Jessica without appearing here.

Jessica moved ahead of

Roisin
In 2017 they stood at #38 and #37 in Republic of Ireland · Girls; by 2018 that had become #41 and #474.
Randi
In 2004 they stood at #329 and #286 in Norway · Girls; by 2005 that had become #245 and #614.
Janet
In 1976 they stood at #428 and #402 in Norway · Girls; by 1977 that had become #196 and #554.
Kirsten
In 1989 they stood at #279 and #270 in Norway · Girls; by 1990 that had become #166 and #481.

Moved ahead of Jessica

Malin
In 1966 they stood at #477 and #530 in Norway · Girls; by 1967 that had become #561 and #305.
Silje
In 1966 they stood at #477 and #542 in Norway · Girls; by 1967 that had become #561 and #403.
Karoline
In 1977 they stood at #196 and #255 in Norway · Girls; by 1978 that had become #297 and #148.
Maja
In 1977 they stood at #196 and #221 in Norway · Girls; by 1978 that had become #297 and #171.

Moved the opposite way to Jessica

Aisling Compare
Between 1966 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Jessica went from #380 to #141 while Aisling went from #100 to #180.
Ann
Between 1966 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Jessica went from #380 to #141 while Ann went from #4 to #443.
Anne
Between 1966 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Jessica went from #380 to #141 while Anne went from #5 to #544.
Ashley Compare
Between 1966 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Jessica went from #380 to #141 while Ashley went from #276 to #443.

Moved the same way as Jessica

Annie
Between 1966 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Jessica went from #380 to #141 and Annie from #139 to #33.
Aoife Compare
Between 1966 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Jessica went from #380 to #141 and Aoife from #189 to #34.
Clodagh
Between 1966 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Jessica went from #380 to #141 and Clodagh from #160 to #47.
Eva
Between 1966 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Jessica went from #380 to #141 and Eva from #195 to #69.

Meaning & Origin

VerifiedSource: Behind the Name.Confidence: medium.

Biblical Hebrew, via a Shakespearean literary coinage

VerifiedSource: Behind the Name.Confidence: medium.

Other names with a researched meaning and origin →

Where Jessica is officially recorded

7 official registrars have recorded Jessica, between 1964 and 2025, in 61 of those 62 years. Each registrar publishes for its own population on its own methodology, so the positions below are each one country's own ranking and are not comparable with one another.

Registrar	Recorded	Years	Its own highest position
Norway	1964–2025	59	#143 in 2010
Republic of Ireland	1966–2025	60	#12 in 1995
New South Wales, Australia	1976–2017	42	#1 in 1984
New Zealand	1977–2019	43	#1 in 1990
England and Wales	1996–2025	30	#1 in 2005
Northern Ireland	1997–2024	28	#4 in 2008
Scotland	2024	1	#48 in 2024

Its high point came 40 years earlier in New South Wales, Australia (1984) than in Scotland (2024).

Variants

No spelling variants or nicknames recorded yet.

Similar Names

No similar names recorded yet for this name.

Similarity is a demonstration score — see methodology.

Spelling

Spelling simplicity

Calculated directly from the name's spelling — see Name Characteristics above.

No commonly used alternate spellings recorded.

Pronunciation

JESS-ih-kuh/ˈd͡ʒɛs.ɪ.kə/

Syllables: 3
Ease: easy

VerifiedSource: Behind the Name.Confidence: medium.

Where Jessica Is Recorded

National statistical agencies have recorded Jessica in these places. This shows where the name is used — not where it comes from, and not that it carries particular cultural significance there.

New South Wales, AustraliaEngland and WalesNorthern IrelandScotlandRepublic of IrelandNorwayNew Zealand

Notable Usage

No safely-sourced notable usage recorded for this name yet.

Sibling & Surname Compatibility

Preview with a surname

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Jessica

Jessica at a glance

What stands out in Jessica's record

Overview

Popularity

What the data shows

Popularity journey

Jessica across 6 official records

Where the highest position is not the biggest year

Jessica by decade in Republic of Ireland · Girls

Jessica appears in

What the record shows

Names published alongside Jessica

Where to go next

Next in the catalogue

A comparable record

Also first recorded in the 1960s

Comparisons involving Jessica

Longest shared records

Closest long-running positions

Order changes

Compared inside New South Wales, Australia lists

Jessica and the names beside it

Jessica moved ahead of

Moved ahead of Jessica

Moved the opposite way to Jessica

Moved the same way as Jessica

Meaning & Origin

Where Jessica is officially recorded

Variants

Similar Names

Spelling

Pronunciation

Where Jessica Is Recorded

Notable Usage

Sibling & Surname Compatibility

Jessica at a glance

What stands out in Jessica's record

Jessica across 6 official records

Where the highest position is not the biggest year

Jessica by decade in Republic of Ireland · Girls

Jessica appears in

What the record shows

Names published alongside Jessica

Where to go next

Next in the catalogue

A comparable record

Also first recorded in the 1960s

Comparisons involving Jessica

Longest shared records

Closest long-running positions

Order changes

Compared inside New South Wales, Australia lists

Jessica and the names beside it

Jessica moved ahead of

Moved ahead of Jessica

Moved the opposite way to Jessica

Moved the same way as Jessica