Jessie first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Jessie

A diminutive form of the Hebrew name Yehoshua, meaning "Jehovah is salvation".

Popularity of Jessie by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jessie is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 51% of people named Jessie being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 350 female babies and 133 male babies born with the name Jessie.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 133 350
2022 181 353
2021 143 354
2020 154 388
2019 194 415
2018 178 449
2017 216 451
2016 246 460
2015 233 470
2014 283 508
2013 323 479
2012 339 448
2011 332 408
2010 406 419
2009 460 422
2008 488 493
2007 533 498
2006 546 529
2005 590 507
2004 571 607
2003 627 618
2002 653 676
2001 593 611
2000 533 719
1999 581 740
1998 642 744
1997 753 846
1996 874 980
1995 903 1,138
1994 983 1,255
1993 1,083 1,108
1992 1,048 1,096
1991 1,176 1,116
1990 1,255 1,117
1989 1,133 1,147
1988 1,082 1,161
1987 1,162 1,222
1986 1,118 1,277
1985 1,131 1,111
1984 1,095 992
1983 1,161 889
1982 1,329 1,144
1981 1,251 1,210
1980 1,098 813
1979 1,024 720
1978 895 644
1977 933 485
1976 823 448
1975 772 392
1974 750 358

The history of the first name Jessie

The given name Jessie is a diminutive form of the Hebrew name Jesse, which is derived from the Hebrew word "Ishai" meaning "gift" or "present." The name Jesse first appeared in the Old Testament of the Bible as the name of the father of King David.

The name Jessie emerged as a feminine form of Jesse in the late 18th century, primarily used in English-speaking countries. It gained popularity in the Victorian era and was often associated with a spirited and adventurous personality.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Jessie was in the novel "The Vicar of Wakefield" by Oliver Goldsmith, published in 1766. In the book, Jessie is the name of a character who embodies the qualities of innocence and virtue.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Jessie. Jessie Benton Frémont (1824-1902) was an American writer, activist, and the wife of explorer John C. Frémont. She played a significant role in promoting her husband's political career and was an advocate for women's rights.

Jessie Redmon Fauset (1882-1961) was an American novelist, poet, and editor who contributed significantly to the Harlem Renaissance literary movement. Her novel "There is Confusion" explored the complexities of race and identity in the early 20th century.

Jessie Ralph (1865-1944) was a Canadian-American actress known for her roles in films such as "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" and "The Corn is Green." She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the latter.

Jessie Willcox Smith (1863-1935) was an acclaimed American illustrator renowned for her illustrations in magazines and children's books. Her work captured the spirit of childhood and contributed significantly to the Golden Age of American illustration.

Jessie M. King (1875-1949) was a British illustrator and designer who collaborated with her husband, E. A. Taylor, on numerous book illustrations and decorative works. Her style was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement and featured intricate patterns and naturalistic elements.

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

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

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"Jessie first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/jessie-meaning-and-history/.

"Jessie first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/jessie-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

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

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