The name Jacqueline originates from the French language and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is a feminine form of the masculine name Jacques, which in turn derives from the Late Latin name Jacobus, a Roman variation of the Hebrew name Ya'aqov (Jacob). The name Jacob means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

Jacqueline gained popularity as a given name in France during the 12th and 13th centuries, particularly among the nobility and upper classes. It was also used in other parts of Europe, such as England, where it was anglicized as "Jaqueline" or "Jacquelyn".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jacqueline can be found in the 13th-century work "Roman de la Rose" by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun, where a character named "Jaqueline" is mentioned.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Jacqueline. One of the most famous was Jacqueline of Bavaria (1401-1436), Countess of Hainaut, Holland, and Zeeland. Another was Jacqueline of Hainaut (1417-1472), Countess of Holland, who was known for her defiance against her uncle Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy.

In the 16th century, Jacqueline de Montbel (1542-1598), a French noblewoman and author, gained recognition for her writings on religion and philosophy.

Moving forward in time, Jacqueline Cochran (1906-1980) was an American aviator and one of the most prominent female pilots of her time. She was instrumental in the formation of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II.

Another noteworthy Jacqueline was Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (1929-1994), the wife of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy and later married to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. She was known for her style, elegance, and her work as a book editor.