Jessica is a female given name of English origin. It is derived from the Latin word "Iustitia," which means "justice." The name was originally used as a title for the Roman goddess of justice, who was often depicted with a blindfold and scales.
The use of Jessica as a given name began in the 19th century, although it was not particularly popular at first. However, its popularity grew steadily throughout the 20th century, and by the 1980s, it had become one of the most commonly used names for girls in English-speaking countries.
Today, Jessica is a well-known name around the world, and it has been used by many notable people, including actresses Jessica Alba and Jessica Simpson. It is also associated with several fictional characters, such as Jessica Fletcher from the TV series "Murder, She Wrote."
Despite its popularity, Jessica remains a strong and distinctive name that conveys a sense of justice and fairness. Its Latin origins give it an air of sophistication and timelessness, making it a popular choice for parents seeking a classic yet modern name for their daughter.
The statistics provided show the annual births of the name Jessica in the United States from 1977 to 1991. The data illustrates a fluctuating trend over this period.
In 1977 and 1978, there were 8 births each year with the name Jessica. This number increased to 12 in 1979 before dropping down to 5 in 1980. The following years showed varied numbers: 9 births in 1981, 12 in 1982, a peak of 14 in 1983, then declining again with 8 births in 1984 and 6 in 1985.
However, the trend reversed in 1986 with 9 births, followed by a significant increase to 25 births in 1987. This high number was maintained at 17 births in 1988 before dropping again to 8 in 1989. The last two years of the dataset showed a further decline, with only 5 births each year in 1990 and 1991.
Overall, across these 15 years, there were a total of 151 births with the name Jessica in the United States. This data suggests that while the popularity of the name Jessica has varied over time, it remained reasonably common throughout this period.