The name Jess is a diminutive form of the name Jessica, which has its origins in the Hebrew language. Jessica is derived from the Hebrew name Yehoshua or Yeshua, which means "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh is deliverance." The name Yeshua is the Hebrew version of the name Jesus, and it was a common name among Jewish people in ancient times.

The name Jessica first appeared in the English language in the 16th century, introduced by the Puritan movement. It gained popularity as a female name in the 19th century, particularly in the United States. The shortened form Jess emerged as a nickname for Jessica, and it has since become a gender-neutral name used for both males and females.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Jess can be found in the works of William Shakespeare. In his play "The Merchant of Venice," written around 1596, one of the characters is named Jessica. However, it is important to note that in Shakespeare's time, the name was likely meant to be a masculine name.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Jess. One of the most famous was Jess Willard, an American heavyweight boxer who held the world heavyweight championship from 1915 to 1919. He was born in 1881 and died in 1968.

Another prominent figure with the name Jess was Jess Stacy, an American jazz pianist and composer. He was born in 1904 and played a significant role in the development of the Kansas City jazz style. Jess Stacy is renowned for his contributions to the Benny Goodman Orchestra in the 1930s.

In the field of literature, Jess Stein was an American novelist and short story writer. She was born in 1923 and is best known for her novel "The Fourteenth of September," which explores the complexities of life in New York City during the 1960s.

Jess Oppenheimer was an American television writer and producer, best known for creating the popular sitcom "I Love Lucy" with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. He was born in 1913 and played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of television comedy during the 1950s.

Lastly, Jess Franco was a Spanish filmmaker and actor known for his work in the horror and exploitation genres. Born in 1930, he directed over 200 films throughout his prolific career, earning him a reputation as one of the most prolific directors in the history of cinema.