Origin and Meaning of Jessica

Wealthy or God beholds

Origin: Hebrew - This name is derived from the Hebrew name Yiskah, which means 'to behold' or 'to be seen'. The name was popularized by William Shakespeare in his play 'The Merchant of Venice'.

• Jessica gained immense popularity in the English-speaking world after it was used by Shakespeare in the late 16th century.
• The name has been widely used across various cultures, with adaptations such as Iska, Jesica, and Jessika.
• Notable bearers of the name include American actress Jessica Alba, singer Jessica Simpson, and author Jessica Hagedorn.
• Jessica ranked as one of the top ten names for girls in the United States throughout the 1980s and 1990s, peaking at number 1 in 1981.
• Related names include Jessie, Jess, and Jes, as well as variations like Yessika in Spanish-speaking cultures.