Jessica is a female name of Hebrew origin that means "God sees" or "God beholds." The name comes from the biblical story of Hannah who prayed to God for a child and promised to dedicate her daughter to His service if her prayer was answered. When Hannah gave birth to a girl, she named her Jessica, meaning that God had seen her prayer.
The name Jessica has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 19th century, but it gained significant popularity during the late 20th century after being used by several famous characters in literature and media. For example, Jessica Wakefield is a main character in the Sweet Valley Twins series of books by Francine Pascal, while Jessica Rabbit is a femme fatale in the animated film "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."
In many cultures, the name Jessica is associated with beauty, intelligence, and charm. However, it's important to note that these associations are not inherent to the name itself but rather reflect societal perceptions and stereotypes.
Despite its popularity, there are no significant historical figures named Jessica who have left a lasting impact on society or culture. Nevertheless, the name Jessica remains popular today as parents continue to choose it for their daughters due to its beautiful meaning and sound.
The statistics provided show the annual births of the name Jessica in the United States from 1971 to 2004. During this period, the popularity of the name varied significantly.
In the early years, the number of babies named Jessica was relatively low, with only 8 births recorded in 1971. However, by 1976, there were 12 births, indicating a slight increase in popularity. The year 1978 saw a significant jump to 19 births, and this trend continued into the early 1980s.
The peak of Jessica's popularity occurred between 1982 and 1989, with a high of 36 births recorded in 1990. This suggests that during this period, many parents chose the name Jessica for their daughters.
However, after 1990, the popularity of the name began to decline steadily. By 1995, there were only 16 births, and by 2004, this number had decreased further to just 5 births.
Overall, between 1971 and 2004, a total of 558 babies were named Jessica in the United States. While the name was particularly popular during the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s, its popularity has since declined. Despite this decline, Jessica remains a classic and timeless name with a rich history behind it.