Jessel first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Jessel has been for the last 27 years (from 1991 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Jessel

A variant of the feminine name Jezebel, derived from Hebrew meaning "non-cohabited, chaste".

Popularity of Jessel by gender

Based on the last 27 years of data, Jessel is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jessel.

Year Male Count Female Count
2017 0 5
2014 0 5
2013 0 6
2011 0 5
2010 0 11
2009 0 6
2008 0 8
2007 0 8
2006 0 10
2005 0 6
2004 0 12
2003 0 6
2002 0 9
2001 0 7
2000 0 6
1999 0 10
1998 0 9
1997 0 7
1996 0 7
1995 0 9
1994 0 8
1993 0 6
1991 0 8

The history of the first name Jessel

The name Jessel is an English variant of the Hebrew name Yisrael, which means "one who struggles with God" or "God prevails". It is derived from the biblical patriarch Jacob, who was later renamed Israel after wrestling with an angel.

The earliest recorded use of the name Jessel dates back to the late Middle Ages in England, where it was likely adopted by Jewish families as an anglicized version of the Hebrew name. It was relatively uncommon until the 19th century when it gained popularity among English Jews and Christians alike.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Jessel was Sir George Jessel, an English lawyer and judge who lived from 1824 to 1883. He served as the Solicitor General for England and Wales and was later appointed as a Lord Justice of Appeal.

Another notable figure with the name Jessel was Sir Herbert Jessel, a British politician and philanthropist who lived from 1866 to 1950. He served as a Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party and was a prominent supporter of Jewish causes.

In the world of literature, one of the most famous individuals with the name Jessel was Sir George Jessel, an American writer, composer, and comedian who lived from 1898 to 1981. He is best known for his work on Broadway and in Hollywood, where he collaborated with many notable figures in the entertainment industry.

The name Jessel also has a rich history in the arts and entertainment world. Sir George Jessel, a British actor and director who lived from 1898 to 1975, had a successful career on stage and in films, and was known for his performances in Shakespearean plays.

Another notable figure with the name Jessel was Sir Herbert Jessel, a British artist and sculptor who lived from 1868 to 1938. He was a member of the Royal Academy of Arts and is best known for his sculptures depicting biblical and mythological themes.

Overall, the name Jessel has a long and varied history, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in fields such as law, politics, literature, and the arts.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Jessel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 24, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/jessel-meaning-and-history/.

"Jessel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/jessel-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 24 October, 2025

Jessel first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/jessel-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.