JESSICA  

Gender: F
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: "wealthy"

Popularity in 2008: #59

When Jennifer was ready to give up her throne, her crown was passed to Jessica, who reigned for not one but two decades -- it was the top name of both the 1980s and 90s, never sounding quite as trendy as its predecessor, maybe because of its classic Shakespearean pedigree. It's just dropped out of the Top 50, and we feel it's ready for a well-earned rest.

Variations:
Jesika, Jessika, Jessalyn, Jessca, Jessiqua, Jessi, Jesse, Jessalin, Jennica, Jezica, Jessicka, Jessaline, Jesslyn, Jessyca, Jesica, Jesseca, Jessy, Jessyka, Jessie, Jessaca, Jessa, Jezyca, Jessey, Jessaka, Jezika, Jezeka, Jess

International Variations:
Iekika (Hawaiian) Janka (Hungarian) Gessica (Italian)

Jessica is being discussed in our message boards:

• A brother or sister for little Jack or Olivia
• Good ones are hard to find.
• Triple A, Triple B, Triple C... Girls!
• Elimination game for girl's first names
• Sib-sets!

Read Nameberry blog posts about Jessica:

• WHO ARE THE MOST POPULAR ENGLISH GIRLS?
• MIDDLE NAMES: The Strange, The Ordinary, and The Embarrassing
• EMMA'S DAUGHTERS
• STAR POWER: The influence of starbabies
• LATIN BABY NAMES: The Famous and The Fantastic