Jacquelyn is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the masculine French name Jacques, which itself comes from the Latin name Jacominus. The name Jacominus was derived from the Latin word "Jacobus," which means "supplanter" or "held by the heel." This name has biblical origins as it is a variant of Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebecca in the Old Testament.
The name Jacquelyn gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the 20th century. It was often used as an alternative to the more traditional feminine names like Jacqueline or Jacinta. The name has also been popularized by notable figures such as American actresses Jacqueline Bisset and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former First Lady of the United States.
In France, Jacquelyn is sometimes used as a diminutive form of Jacquette, which is a pet form of Jacqueline. However, it is not as commonly used in France as it is in English-speaking countries.
The name Jacquelyn has no specific associated traits or characteristics beyond its biblical origins and associations with notable figures. It is simply a feminine given name of French origin that means "held by the heel."
The name Jacquelyn experienced significant popularity fluctuations over the years. Initially low with only single-digit births from 1907 to 1916, it started gaining traction in the late 1910s and early 1920s, peaking at 487 births in 1927. This trend continued until the mid-1930s, with over 600 births annually between 1930 and 1937. However, a gradual decline ensued thereafter, reaching an all-time low of 91 births in 2023. Overall, Jacquelyn has been used for approximately 85,033 baby girls since its introduction.