What Does the Name Jessica Mean?
Jessica is a girl's name of Hebrew (literary coinage) origin meaning “to behold, foresight.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Jessica |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Hebrew (literary coinage) |
| Meaning | to behold, foresight |
| Variants | Jessie, Jess, Yiskah, Iscah, Jessika |
| Popularity | The most popular US girls' name for most of the 1980s and 1990s |
The meaning and origin of Jessica
The name Jessica means “to behold, foresight” and has Hebrew (literary coinage) origins. Apparently coined or popularized by Shakespeare for a character in The Merchant of Venice (1596), likely based on the biblical Hebrew name Iscah (Yiskah), meaning 'to behold' or 'to foresee.'
Variants and related names
Jessica is related to several other names you may recognize: Jessie, Jess, Yiskah, Iscah, Jessika. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Jessica?
The most popular US girls' name for most of the 1980s and 1990s
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jessica mean?+
The name Jessica means “to behold, foresight” and is of Hebrew (literary coinage) origin.
What is the origin of the name Jessica?+
Jessica originates from Hebrew (literary coinage).
Is Jessica a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Jessica has trended in the US over time.
Jessica by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press