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

Popularity of Jewel by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jewel is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 94% of people named Jewel being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 187 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jewel.

The history of the first name Jewel

The name Jewel is derived from the word "jewel," which comes from the Old French "jouel," meaning "a jewel or precious stone." The French term can be traced back to the Latin "jocale," meaning "plaything" or "jewel." Ultimately, the name has its roots in the Latin word "jocus," meaning "game" or "jest."

This name's connection to precious gems and stones reflects its association with rarity, beauty, and value. It has been used as a given name since the late 16th century, but its popularity surged in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Jewel can be found in the Bible's Book of Exodus, where it refers to the precious stones adorning the breastplate of the high priest. In ancient Hebrew, the word "jewel" was translated as "hoshen," which referred to these valuable gemstones.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Jewel. One of the earliest was Jewel Kilcher, an American singer-songwriter born in 1974, who achieved widespread fame in the mid-1990s with her debut album, "Pieces of You." Her music blended elements of folk, pop, and country, and she was known for her introspective lyrics and soulful vocals.

Another famous Jewel was Jewel Plummer Cobb, an American biologist and academic born in 1924. She was a pioneer in cancer research and a leading figure in the fight against discrimination in science. Cobb served as the president of California State University, Fullerton, and was the first African American woman to lead a major university in the western United States.

In the realm of literature, Jewel Kilcher (1901–1997) was an American author and poet known for her works depicting life in rural Alaska. Her books, such as "The Reindeer Queen" and "The Wilderness World of John Muir," celebrated the beauty and resilience of the Alaskan landscape and its people.

The name Jewel has also been associated with royalty. Jewel Princess of France (1165–1187) was the daughter of King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was married to King William II of Sicily at a young age, but the union was short-lived due to her early death.

Lastly, Jewel Howard-Taylor (born 1963) is a Liberian politician and the current Vice President of Liberia. She has played a prominent role in her country's political landscape and has been praised for her efforts to promote women's rights and economic development.

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

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

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