Jackson is a popular English boy's name with a strong and meaningful history behind it. It originates from the English surname "Jacksone," which was derived from the patronymic form of the given name John. The name John comes from the Hebrew name "Yochanan" meaning "God is gracious." Therefore, Jackson literally translates to "son of Jack or John."
The use of Jackson as a given name began in the United States during the 19th century. It gained popularity due to its association with prominent figures such as American President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), who was born with the name but went by Andy throughout his life. The popularity of the name has continued to grow, and it has consistently ranked among the top 200 most popular boy's names in the United States since the 1980s.
Jackson is also associated with various places around the world. For instance, Jackson Hole is a valley located in Wyoming, USA, named after David E. Jackson who owned land there in the late 1800s. Additionally, Jackson, Mississippi is the state's capital city and was named after President Andrew Jackson.
In literature, Jackson has been used as a character name in several works. One notable example is "The Jacksons" by Susan Jeffers, which tells the story of three brothers with the given name Jackson who learn about life and family as they grow up together.
Overall, Jackson is an enduringly popular choice for parents seeking a strong and historically meaningful name for their sons. With its biblical roots and connection to prominent figures throughout history, this name carries a sense of tradition and strength that continues to appeal to many.
"Jackson has seen significant fluctuations in its popularity as a baby name over the years, with a total of 283,583 babies named Jackson between 1880 and 2023. The name's peak occurred in 2007 with 11,666 births, while it dropped to its lowest point in recent history in 2022 with 7,284 births."