Jess is a name of English origin, derived from the name Jessica. The name Jessica was created by Sir William Shakespeare for his play "The Merchant of Venice," where it belonged to one of the main characters. It is believed that Shakespeare took inspiration from the male name Jesse and added the feminine suffix "-ca" to create Jessica.
In Hebrew, the name Jesse means "God sees" or "God's gift." Therefore, Jess can also be associated with these meanings. However, since Jess is a shorter version of Jessica, it does not have its own specific meaning in Hebrew.
The name Jess gained popularity as a unisex name in the late 20th century. It has been used for both boys and girls, although it tends to be more commonly used for females today. The name has appeared in various forms of media, including literature, television, and film, contributing to its familiarity and recognition.
Overall, Jess is a short and modern-sounding name with roots in English literature and Hebrew language. Its meanings are associated with the original name Jessica, making it a versatile choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their child.
Based on the statistical data provided regarding the name Jess in the United States, we can observe several trends and patterns over time.
The name Jess has been given to babies consistently throughout the years, with a total of 470 births recorded between 1884 and 2023. The highest number of births recorded for this name was in 1996, with 13 newborns named Jess. This peak in popularity coincides with a general trend towards unique and shorter names during the mid to late 1990s.
Interestingly, there are several periods where the name Jess experienced significant increases in popularity. In the early 1970s, there were two peaks, one in 1978 with 10 births, followed by another in 1979 with another 10 births. This suggests that the name may have been popular among parents during this time.
Another notable period of popularity for the name Jess was between 1988 and 1991, with a consistent number of births ranging from 9 to 16 each year. This indicates that the name was well-established during this decade and maintained a steady level of popularity.
More recently, the name Jess has experienced a resurgence in popularity, with peaks in 2007 (15 births) and 2023 (10 births). This recent trend suggests that the name continues to be favored by parents even today.
Overall, the statistics show that while the popularity of the name Jess has fluctuated over time, it has consistently been a popular choice among parents in the United States. The name's enduring appeal can likely be attributed to its unique sound and its association with positive qualities such as being friendly, independent, and energetic.