Jack
Boy name · 20,157 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Jack: 20,157 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 883 births in 1999.
Jack is a classic given name of English origin, derived from the medieval name "Jankin," a diminutive of "John," which itself comes from the Hebrew "Yochanan," meaning "God is gracious." It rose to popularity as a generic term for "everyman" in folk tales and ballads. Famous bearers include the prolific 20th-century American author Jack Kerouac and the enduring screen star Jack Nicholson. The Scottish connection is strong through Jack, a character from the traditional fairy story "Jack and the Beanstalk," though the name shares its root with the capital of Jamaica, Kingston, via the same Hebrew base. A further note: Jack was the most popular boys' name in Scotland for much of the early 2000s, reflecting its persistent charm and friendly, approachable feel.
Boy 52 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 1999883 babies
- Latest (2025)
- #13200 babies
- Total births
- 20,157since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 34%vs prior 5y