Jackolyn is a unique and distinctive name of uncertain origin, often assumed to be an American invention due to its prevalence there during the mid-20th century. It is a unisex name, though it appears to be more commonly used for females. The name consists of two parts: "Jack," which is of English origin meaning "God is gracious" or "may God protect," and "olyn," which is likely derived from the Greek suffix "-ōlyn," meaning "flame" or "light." Therefore, Jackolyn could be interpreted as a blend of these meanings, suggesting someone who brings light or protection, though this interpretation may not necessarily hold true for everyone bearing the name.
The name Jackolyn experienced a surge in popularity during the mid-20th century, with a peak of 12 births in both 1947 and 1953. However, it has since declined significantly, with only five births each in 1967, 1983, 1986, and 1990. Overall, there have been a total of 154 babies named Jackolyn born between 1927 and 1990.