Find out how popular the first name Jessi has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jessi by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jessi is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 83% of people named Jessi being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 50 female babies and 5 male babies born with the name Jessi.

The history of the first name Jessi

The name Jessi is a variant of the Hebrew name Jesse, which has its roots in the Biblical figure Jesse, the father of King David. The name Jesse is derived from the Hebrew word "Ishai," which means "gift" or "present."

In the Old Testament, Jesse is mentioned as the son of Obed and the father of eight sons, including the famous King David. He is described as a respected man from the town of Bethlehem and a member of the tribe of Judah. The name Jesse gained popularity among Christians due to its association with the lineage of Jesus Christ, who was believed to be a descendant of King David.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Jesse can be found in the biblical Book of Ruth, which is believed to have been written around the 6th century BCE. The name also appears in other books of the Old Testament, such as 1 Samuel and Isaiah.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Jesse or Jessi. One of the most famous was Jesse Owens, the American track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, defying Adolf Hitler's notion of Aryan superiority. Another well-known figure was Jesse James, the notorious American outlaw and gang leader who was active in the mid-19th century.

In the world of literature, Jesse L. Hurlbut (1843-1930) was an American author and educator known for his children's books, including "Hurlbut's Story of the Bible." Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800) was an English mathematician and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of scientific instruments.

Jessi Colter (born Mirriam Johnson in 1943) is an American country music singer-songwriter and author, known for her collaborations with her husband, the legendary Waylon Jennings. She is also recognized for her own hits, such as "I'm Not Lisa" and "Borned to Love You."

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

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

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