Names › Girls' names › J › Jessica
Jessica
Meaning: to behold (from Iscah) · Origin: Hebrew (via Shakespeare) · Gender: usually a girl's name
Origin & history
First used by Shakespeare for Shylock's daughter in The Merchant of Venice, probably from the biblical Iscah.
Famous people named Jessica
- Jessica Ennis-Hill (athlete)
- Jessica Chastain (actor)
Nicknames
Jess, Jessie
Variants & related names
Jessika, Giselle
Jessica name art
A free preview of a printable “Jessica” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Jessica mean?
Jessica means “to behold (from Iscah)”. It comes from Hebrew (via Shakespeare).
Is Jessica a popular name?
Jessica is a classic girls' name that has been used for generations in the English-speaking world. For its current rank, see the US Social Security Administration or UK Office for National Statistics baby-name lists.
What are nicknames for Jessica?
Jess, Jessie.
What are other forms of Jessica?
Jessika, Giselle.
Similar names
Maria · Mary · Sarah · Jane · Rachel · Rebecca
More: names starting with J · all girls' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.