Jessica

Jessica is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin that has become common in many countries. The name is usually traced to the Hebrew Yiskah, meaning "foresight" or "to behold." It was Latinized as Jessica and popularized in English by Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice (c. 1596), in which Jessica is the daughter of Shylock.

Since the Renaissance, Jessica has remained a widely used name in the Anglophone world and has spread to other language communities. It has numerous spellings and variations, including Jessie and Jessika.

Notable people named Jessica include American actress Jessica Alba, American actress Jessica Chastain, British athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill, American singer Jessica Simpson, and American actress Jessica Lange. These individuals reflect the name’s broad usage across entertainment, sports, and public life.

In fiction, Jessica Rabbit is a sultry animated character from Who Framed Roger Rabbit; Jessica Jones is a Marvel Comics superhero; Jessica Pearson is a central figure in the series Suits; Jessica Hamby is a vampire character in True Blood. The name is frequently chosen for characters who are stylish, assertive, or complex, contributing to its recognizability in popular culture.

Popularity trends show that Jessica peaked in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s and remains common, though other names have gained popularity in recent decades. The name also appears in various languages with local adaptations and diminutives such as Jessie.