Find out how popular the first name Jackson has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jackson by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jackson is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Jackson being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7,284 male babies and 19 female babies born with the name Jackson.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 19 baby girls were named Jackson in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Jackson

The given name Jackson originated from the English surname Jackson, which itself derives from the personal name Jack, a diminutive form of the name John. The name John comes from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious" or "God is gracious."

Jackson as a first name emerged in the 17th century, particularly in England and Scotland. It was initially used as a patronymic, meaning "son of Jack," with the suffix "-son" added to the personal name Jack. The name gained popularity as a first name in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

While there are no known direct references to the name Jackson in ancient texts or religious scriptures, the name John, from which Jackson is derived, has biblical roots and is mentioned in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Additionally, the name Jack, which is the root of Jackson, was commonly used in medieval literature and folklore.

One of the earliest recorded uses of Jackson as a first name dates back to the late 16th century. Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), the 7th President of the United States, is perhaps the most famous historical figure to bear the name. Other notable individuals named Jackson throughout history include:

1. Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (1824-1863), a Confederate general during the American Civil War.
2. Jackson Pollock (1912-1956), an influential American painter and a major figure in the abstract expressionist movement.
3. Jackson Browne (born 1948), an American singer-songwriter known for his contributions to the folk and rock genres.
4. Jackson C. Frank (1937-1999), an American folk singer-songwriter and musician.
5. Jackson Mthembu (1958-2021), a South African politician who served as Minister in the Presidency of South Africa.

The name Jackson has been widely adopted across various cultures and regions, transcending its English origins. It continues to be a popular choice for parents, reflecting its historical significance and versatility.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Jackson was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jackson, please contact us.

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