Jacqueline is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the male name Jacque, which is a diminutive of Jacques, itself coming from the Latin name Iacobus, meaning "supplanter" or "follower". Therefore, Jacqueline means "may God protect".
The name Jacqueline has been popular throughout history and in various countries. In France, it was particularly common during the 20th century. It was also quite popular in the United States during the mid-20th century, reaching its peak popularity in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Some notable people named Jacqueline include Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former First Lady of the United States; Jacqueline du Pré, a renowned British cellist; and Jacqueline Suskin, an American poet and author. Despite its historical popularity, Jacqueline remains less common today compared to many other names, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a unique name for their daughter with a rich heritage and meaning behind it.
The name Jacqueline appears to have gained significant popularity over time, with a consistent increase in the number of births from the late 19th century onwards. The peak was reached around the mid-20th century, with a total of 757 births in 1921 and peaking at 10982 births in 1961. However, since then, there has been a steady decline in the popularity of the name Jacqueline, with only 560 births recorded in 2023. This data suggests that while Jacqueline was once a popular choice for parents, it is now much less common.