Jess
English · Boy · 1 syllable
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Jess
Jess is primarily a short form or nickname for Jessica, which derives from the Hebrew name Yiskah, meaning "to behold" or "God beholds." The name entered English through the biblical figure Jessica in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," though it became widely popular as an independent given name in the 20th century.
Cross-referenced with Wikidata/Wikipedia. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.
Etymology
Jess is primarily a short form or nickname for Jessica, which derives from the Hebrew name Yiskah, meaning "to behold" or "God beholds." The name entered English through the biblical figure Jessica in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," though it became widely popular as an independent given name in the 20th century. It is used across English-speaking cultures of Christian, Jewish, and secular backgrounds, with particular prevalence in North America and the United Kingdom since the 1960s.
Jess currently ranks #5,299 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1915.
Variants & nicknames
Contribute to this name
Help improve this page with a meaning, origin, or correction—and get credited as a contributor.
Share your knowledge about this name—meaning, origin, pronunciation, or correction. Your contribution is reviewed and credited with your name.
Login to contributeWe use Google & Facebook login — no password needed.
Sibling name ideas
English names that sit beautifully beside JessSimilar names you might like
Names starting with JMore names starting with J
- Jacques
- Jacqualine
- Jacintha
- Jacklyn
- Jaclyn
- Jac
- Jada
- Jackaline
- Jacky
- Jacinto
- Jacqui
- Jackie
- Jacquelyn
- Jad
- Jaden
- Jadene
- Jacinta
- Jacen
🧬 See Jess's popularity the year you were born →
🔢 Get Jess's free numerology report card →
💫 Is Jess your name? Get your free “My name means…” card →
👶 Have a Jess already? Find sibling names that fit →
💬 Does Jess go with your surname? Check the rhythm, rhyme and initials →
✨ Get stylish & fancy text versions of Jess →
Names that sound like Jess
Phonetic match, not just spelling"José means "God will increase" and derives from the Hebrew name Yosef (יוֹסֵף), which combines "Yah" (God) and "asaf" (to…"
"Juha is a Finnish form of the name Juhana, which derives from the Hebrew name Yohanan (יוֹחָנָן), meaning "God is…"
"The name Jack is a diminutive form of John, derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן), meaning "God is gracious"…"
"João means "God is gracious" and derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan, filtered through Latin (Joannes) and Portuguese phonetic adaptation."
"Jesse derives from the Hebrew name Yishai (יִשַׁי), meaning "gift" or "wealthy," and entered English through biblical and ecclesiastical tradition."
"Jukka is a Finnish given name derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious" through the Greek form…"
"Jessica is derived from the Hebrew name Yiskah, meaning "God beholds" or "one who beholds," with the "-ica" suffix added…"
"Jussi is the Finnish diminutive form of Jooseppi (Joseph), derived from the Hebrew name Yosef meaning "God will increase." The…"
"Juho is a Finnish form of the name Judah, derived from the Hebrew root meaning "praised" or "thanked." It comes…"
"Jaakko means "he who supplants" or "God will protect," derived from the Hebrew name Jacob (Ya'akov) through Greek and Latin…"
"Joshua derives from the Hebrew name Yehoshua (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ), meaning "God is salvation" or "God saves," combining the elements "Yah" (God)…"
"The given name 'Jooa' is derived from the Arabic name 'Jawwad' or 'Jawwah', which means 'generous' or 'bountiful', and is…"