Jessica
Meaning: God beholds; God's grace
Origin: Possibly coined by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice (1596), from Hebrew Yiskah (יִסְכָּה)
Gender: Girl
Rank in France: #128
Total births: 70,879
History: Created by Shakespeare meaning God sees. Jessica peaked in France in the 1990s. The name entered France through American cultural influence and became hugely popular. Jessica reflects the 1990s generation of Anglo-American names that the French embraced enthusiastically.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from France’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2021) | #564 |
| Babies named Jessica in 2021 | 63 |
| Total recorded in France | 70,866 |
| Peak year | 1982 (5,173 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #10 |
| Years in records | 1950–2021 (66 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 249 spots |
Frequently asked about Jessica
What does the name Jessica mean?
Jessica means “God beholds; God's grace” from Possibly coined by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice (1596), from Hebrew Yiskah (יִסְכָּה) roots.
What is the origin of the name Jessica?
Jessica has Possibly coined by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice (1596), from Hebrew Yiskah (יִסְכָּה) origin. The traditional meaning is “God beholds; God's grace”.
How popular is Jessica in France?
Jessica ranked #564 in France in 2021 — given to 63 babies that year.
When was Jessica most popular?
Jessica peaked in 1982 with 5,173 babies registered that year in France.
Is Jessica a boy or girl name?
Jessica is predominantly a girls' name in France — over 90% of Jessicas in registered births are female.
Is the name Jessica rising or falling in popularity?
Jessica has fallen 249 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years in France — from #315 in 2016 to #564 in 2021.
How long has Jessica been recorded in France?
Jessica appears in birth records in France across 66 years — from 1950 through 2021.