JESSICA Meaning and
Definition
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Jessica is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God beholds" or "God's grace." It is derived from the biblical name Yiskah, which was the original form of the name. The name Jessica has various interpretations and cultural associations. In Hebrew, it is believed to signify God's watchfulness or the idea that God sees and knows everything.
In English-speaking countries, Jessica gained popularity as a name during the 18th century. It gained more widespread recognition and popularity due to being used by William Shakespeare in his play "The Merchant of Venice" in the late 16th century. The character Jessica in the play is the daughter of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. This association with literature and the arts further contributed to the name's growth in popularity.
Jessica has become a widely recognized and frequently used name globally, often symbolizing femininity, grace, and strength. It is typically chosen as a name for girls and women due to its pleasant sound and positive connotations. As a name, Jessica has been used by people of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, reflecting its universal appeal and versatility. It has also spawned numerous nicknames, such as Jess, Jessie, and Jessa, among others, which further enhance its versatility and adaptability to individual preferences.
Top Common Misspellings for JESSICA *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for JESSICA
Etymology of JESSICA
The name "Jessica" has an interesting etymology and origin. It was first introduced by William Shakespeare in his play "The Merchant of Venice", which was written between 1596 and 1598. In the play, Jessica is the daughter of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender.
However, the name "Jessica" itself does not have Hebrew origins. Rather, it is believed to be a variation or Anglicized form of the biblical Hebrew name "Yiskah" or "Iscah". In the Old Testament, Yiskah was the name of a niece of Abraham and sister of Lot. The name Yiskah means "behold" or "foresight".
Shakespeare's use of the name "Jessica" in "The Merchant of Venice" likely popularized it, and it eventually became an established given name.
Similar spelling words for JESSICA
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