Holding steady.
Popularity of Jacalyn since 1937
Babies named Jacalyn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 6 |
| 1940s | 368 |
| 1950s | 2,599 |
| 1960s | 734 |
| 1970s | 368 |
| 1980s | 424 |
| 1990s | 335 |
| 2000s | 291 |
| 2010s | 50 |
| 2020s | 10 |
Meaning & origin
Jacalyn is a mid-20th century American spelling variant of Jacqueline, first recorded in 1937. It reached its peak usage in 1954, the same decade that Jacqueline Kennedy first gained national attention as a senator's wife. Although it has since fallen out of the top 1000, the name's stable trajectory reflects a modest but enduring niche appeal. The spelling variation Jacalyn, with its distinctive 'a' instead of 'que', offers a streamlined alternative to the classic Jacqueline while retaining the familiar nickname Jackie.
Jacalyn is a modern American variant of Jacqueline, the French feminine form of Jacques (equivalent to James or Jacob). The name derives from the Hebrew Ya'aqov, traditionally interpreted as 'supplanter'. Jacqueline has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century, and spelling variations like Jacalyn emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century, particularly popularized by the fame of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Where Jacalyn is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jackie, Jac, Lyn, Jaci
Variants: Jacqueline, Jacquelyn, Jacklyn, Jaclyn, Jaquelyn
Sibling names for Jacalyn
Names that share Jacalyn's style, for a brother or sister.
