Jessica Name Meaning and Origin

Gender: Girl
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Foresight or God beholds
Popularity: #553

Jessica Name Meaning and Origin

Jessica is of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew name Yiskah (יסכה), meaning “foresight” or “God beholds.” It became widely popular in English-speaking countries after it was used by Shakespeare in his play The Merchant of Venice (1596). In the play, Jessica is the daughter of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. The name is traditionally feminine, and it became a common name in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it reached its peak popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. It is associated with traits such as beauty and intelligence, often reflecting a sense of grace or vision due to its meaning.