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

Popularity of Jessy by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jessy is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 67% of people named Jessy being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 38 female babies and 25 male babies born with the name Jessy.

It's also interesting to see that despite Jessy being historically a mostly male name, the most recent data from 2023 shows a shift in the trend, with more female babies being named Jessy.

The history of the first name Jessy

The name Jessy is an English diminutive form of the name Jessica, which ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Yěhōshūăʿ, meaning "Yahweh is salvation." The name Jessica was first popularized in the 16th century through its use in literature, particularly in the play "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare.

Jessy emerged as a nickname or pet form of Jessica in the 18th century, but it wasn't until the 19th century that it gained popularity as an independent given name. During this time, the name Jessy was favored by English and Scottish families, often carrying connotations of simplicity and affection.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Jessy can be found in the novel "The Vicar of Wakefield" by Oliver Goldsmith, published in 1766. In the book, the character Jessy Primrose is the youngest daughter of the protagonist, Dr. Primrose. This literary reference helped to establish the name's place in English-speaking cultures.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Jessy. One of the most famous was Jessy Cameron Brown (1799-1871), a Scottish novelist and writer who was celebrated for her novels and short stories depicting rural Scottish life. Another prominent figure was Jessy Rendall (1830-1892), an English poet and hymn writer whose works were widely published during the Victorian era.

In the 20th century, Jessy Matador (1920-2004) was a notable French singer and actress who gained fame for her performances in cabaret and music halls across Europe. Additionally, Jessy Norman (1945-2019) was an American opera singer and recitalist who was celebrated for her performances of works by Wagner and Strauss, among others.

A more contemporary figure is Jessy Schram (born in 1986), an American actress best known for her roles in television series such as "Veronica Mars" and "Last Resort." Her portrayal of various characters has contributed to the continued relevance of the name Jessy in modern times.

While the name Jessy has its roots in the Hebrew language and gained popularity through literary references and notable individuals, it has also been embraced across various cultures and societies, reflecting its enduring appeal and versatility.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jessy, 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!