Find out how popular the first name Jamayca has been for the last 1 years (from 1995 to 1995) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jamayca by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Jamayca is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1995, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jamayca.

The history of the first name Jamayca

The name Jamayca has its origins in the language of the indigenous Taíno people of the Caribbean islands. It is believed to have derived from the word "xaymaca," which means "land of wood and water" or "island of springs." The Taíno people inhabited the island now known as Jamaica before the arrival of Christopher Columbus and the Spanish conquistadors in the late 15th century.

The first recorded use of the name Jamayca can be traced back to the early 16th century, when the Spanish colonizers adopted the Taíno word to refer to the island they had conquered. The name was later anglicized to "Jamaica" and became the official name of the island under British rule in the 17th century.

While the name Jamayca was initially used as a geographical designation, it eventually gained popularity as a given name, particularly among people with ties to the Caribbean region. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Jamayca Santana, a renowned Taíno leader who led resistance efforts against the Spanish colonizers in the early 16th century.

Another historical figure bearing the name Jamayca was Jamayca Beaumont, a French-born explorer who traveled to the Caribbean in the late 17th century and documented the natural wonders of the region in his writings.

In the 19th century, Jamayca Livingstone, a Scottish missionary and explorer, gained fame for her work in Africa and her efforts to abolish the slave trade. She was born in 1813 and died in 1873.

During the 20th century, Jamayca Valdez, a Cuban-American poet and activist, rose to prominence for her powerful works that celebrated her Caribbean heritage and advocated for social justice. She was born in 1925 and passed away in 2005.

More recently, Jamayca Fernandez, a Jamaican-born artist and sculptor, has gained international recognition for her stunning multimedia installations that explore themes of identity, diaspora, and cultural hybridity. She was born in 1967 and continues to create and exhibit her work today.

The name Jamayca has a rich cultural and historical significance, rooted in the indigenous heritage of the Caribbean region and shaped by the complex tapestry of colonization, resistance, and cultural exchange. Its enduring presence as a given name serves as a testament to the resilience and pride of those who embrace their Caribbean roots.

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 Jamayca was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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