Jessie is a name of English origin, derived from the Hebrew name Yochebed. In the Bible, Yochebed was the mother of Moses and Aaron. The name Jessie means "God is my oath," reflecting its religious roots.
The name Jessie has been used for centuries but gained popularity in the late 19th century. It was often given to girls born during the Victorian era, who were influenced by the literary character Jessica from Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice." The character's full name was Jessica Juley, which may have contributed to the rise in popularity of Jessie as a nickname.
Over time, Jessie has become more commonly used as a unisex name. While it is still often given to girls due to its traditional association with femininity, some parents choose Jessie for their sons as well. This trend reflects the modern move away from strictly gendered naming conventions.
In terms of spelling variations, Jessie can also appear as Jessey or Jessy. These variants may be used to differentiate between different people named Jessie or simply to provide a unique twist on the classic name.
Overall, Jessie is a name with a rich history and meaningful origins that continues to be popular today. Its adaptability in terms of gender and spelling makes it an attractive choice for parents seeking a timeless yet distinctive name for their child.
The name Jessie has seen a fluctuating trend in popularity over the past century and a half in the United States. In the late 1800s, there were around 600 births per year with the name Jessie, reaching a peak of 2475 births in 1913.
However, from the 1920s onwards, the popularity of the name began to decline significantly. By the 1960s, fewer than 500 babies were being named Jessie each year. This trend continued until the late 1970s when the name started to regain some popularity, reaching a high of 813 births in 1980.
The popularity of Jessie fluctuated throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with around 1000-1200 babies named Jessie each year. However, since the turn of the century, there has been a steady decline in the number of babies being given the name Jessie.
In recent years, the number of births with the name Jessie has been consistently below 500 per year, reaching an all-time low of 350 births in 2023. Overall, since records began in the late 1800s, there have been a total of 169,347 babies named Jessie born in the United States. Despite its decline in popularity in recent years, Jessie remains a classic and enduring name choice for parents looking for something timeless and unique.