Jessica
Girl name · 8,272 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Jessica: 8,272 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 419 births in 2014.
Shakespeare invented Jessica for *The Merchant of Venice*, adapting the Hebrew name Yiskah, meaning "to behold" or "foresight". The character, Shylock's daughter, launched the name into enduring popularity, especially across the English-speaking world. The name's modern fame was cemented by actresses Jessica Lange and Jessica Chastain, while singer Jessica Simpson brought it to pop culture ubiquity. Though no major places are named for a bearer, the affectionate nickname Jessie has become a strong standalone name in Scotland. Jessica enjoyed extraordinary popularity from the 1980s through the early 2000s, consistently ranking among Scotland's top baby names for decades—a classic choice that feels both timeless and warmly familiar.
Girl 52 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 2014419 babies
- Latest (2025)
- #4981 babies
- Total births
- 8,272since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 56%vs prior 5y