Jessen
Of Norse origin, a given name meaning "son of Jesse".
Name Census estimates that about 353 living Americans carry the first name Jessen. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Jessen today is around 24 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Jessen births was 2002 (16 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Jessen. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
353
~ 1 in 970,975 Americans
Peak year
2002
16 babies that year
Average age
24
years old
2022 SSA rank
#13,195
Tracked since 1976
Popularity
Jessen: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Jessen from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 117 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Jessen by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Jessen during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Jessen
The name Jessen is believed to have originated from the Old Norse language, with roots dating back to the Viking Age (793-1066 AD). It is thought to be derived from the Old Norse word "jessen," which means "warrior" or "soldier." This suggests that the name may have initially been bestowed upon those who displayed exceptional bravery and skill in battle.
During the Viking era, the name Jessen was likely prevalent in the Scandinavian regions, particularly in areas where the Norse people had established settlements, such as present-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As the Vikings explored and conquered new territories, the name may have spread to other parts of Europe and beyond.
Historical references to individuals bearing the name Jessen are scarce, as record-keeping during the Viking Age was limited. However, some notable figures with this name have been documented throughout history.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jessen can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of literary works that recount the lives and adventures of Icelandic families and their ancestors. In the Saga of Hrafnkell Freysgodi, a character named Jessen is mentioned as a skilled warrior and chieftain.
In more recent times, Jessen Jacobsen (1837-1885) was a Danish author and poet known for his contributions to the Scandinavian literary movement of the late 19th century. His works, such as "Marie Grubbe" and "Niels Lyhne," explored themes of existentialism and the human condition.
Another notable figure was Jessen Burchardsen (1885-1952), a Danish architect who played a significant role in shaping the architectural landscape of Copenhagen in the early 20th century. His designs, including the iconic Palads Teatret and several residential buildings, are celebrated for their blend of traditional Danish and modern styles.
In the realm of sports, Jessen Lauridsen (1908-1996) was a Danish footballer who represented his country at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. He played as a forward and scored several goals during his international career.
Lastly, Jessen Petersen (1919-2005) was a Norwegian resistance fighter during World War II. He played a crucial role in the Norwegian resistance movement against the German occupation and was awarded the War Cross with Sword for his bravery and service.
While the name Jessen may not be widely known or popularized today, its roots can be traced back to the ancient Norse culture, where it was likely associated with strength, courage, and warrior spirit.
People
Jessen + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Jessen as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with J
Other first names starting with J with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Jessen: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Jessen?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 353 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Jessen going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 970,975 US residents.
Is Jessen a common name?
We classify Jessen as "Very Rare". It ranks above 81% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 360 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Jessen most popular?
The single biggest year for Jessen was 2002, when 16 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Jessen is about 24 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Jessen a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Jessen in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.