Jessie

Meaning & origin

Jessie has been in use as a given name in the United States since at least 1880, when it first appeared in Social Security data. Its peak usage came early, in 1882, when it ranked as a top name. After declining in popularity for much of the 20th century, Jessie saw a resurgence in the 1980s and 1990s, but has been falling in rank since 1987. In 2025, it ranked 823rd, with a frequency of about 1 in 4,871 births. The name has seen the most sustained popularity in southern states such as Louisiana, Arkansas, and Kentucky, where it has often charted among top state rankings. As a unisex name, Jessie has remained accessible for both boys and girls, though it is more frequently given to girls today. Its long history as both a standalone name and a nickname for Jessica or Jesse gives it a versatility that continues to appeal to many parents.

Jessie originated as a diminutive of Jessica, a name first used by Shakespeare in 'The Merchant of Venice' (1596) for the daughter of Shylock. Shakespeare likely adapted it from the Hebrew name Yiskah (Iscah), meaning 'to behold' or 'God beholds'. By the 19th century, Jessie was used as an independent name for girls in the English-speaking world, and occasionally as a nickname for Jesse for boys.