Jessie is a name that has been common in the United States for well over a century, for both boys and girls. These days, it's used more often for girls and remains a top 1,000 baby name. As a given name, Jessie has Biblical origins, though some people also consider it a nickname for Jessica or Jean.
Meaning and Origin of the Name Jessie:
Jessie has three possible origins. For girls, it's sometimes considered a nickname for Jessica, a name created by Shakespeare. In Scotland, however, Jessie is a name derived from Jean, which means “God is gracious”. When given to baby boys, Jessie is thought to derive from the Hebrew name Jesse, which means “gift”. In the Bible, Jesse was the father of King David.
Symbolism of the Name Jessie:
Because of its Biblical origins, Jessie may be a symbolic name to people of the Christian faith. Because of its meaning, “gift,” new parents may choose the name because they see their new baby as a gift from above. As a nickname for Jessica, Jessie could be symbolic of literature and theater.
Nicknames for the Name Jessie:
Jessie itself can be a nickname, but there are nicknames that can be derived from it when it's used as a given name. Check out our list of the best Jessie nicknames:
- Jess
- Jessie
- J
- JJ
- See
- See-See
- Essie
- Ess
- Jesser
- Jessers
- J.S.
Style of the Name Jessie:
Traditional
Gender of the Name Jessie:
Jessie is a name given to both boys and girls, though it's more common for girls in modern times.
Pronunciation of the Name Jessie:
JESS-ee
Number of Syllables in the Name Jessie:
Two
Emotion Evoked From the Name Jessie:
The baby name Jessie evokes images of someone who is stubborn and strives to get what they want.
Alternative Spellings for the Name Jessie:
Popularity of the Name Jessie:
According to the Social Security Administration, Jessie has been a top 1,000 name for baby girls since at least 1900. It was even a top 100 name until 1927. It last ranked at number 796 in 2022. Jessie has also been a top 1,000 name for boys since 1900, though it fell off the list in 2017 when it last ranked at 961.
Related Names for the Name Jessie:
Great Middle Names for Jessie and Their Meanings:
- Michelle (who is like God)
- Aaliyah (high, exalted)
- Grace (God's grace)
- Eloise (healthy, wide)
- Kate (pure)
- Diane (divine)
- Victoria (victory)
- Allyson (noble)
- Belle (beautiful)
Famous People with the Name Jessie:
- Jessie James Decker (country music singer)
- Jessie Mueller (actress)
- Jessie Margaret Matthews (actress)
- Jessie Fauset (writer)
- Jessie Ware (singer, songwriter)
Jessies in Popular Culture:
- Jessie Prescott (titular character on the TV show “Jessie”)
- Jessie Alden (character in the “Boxcar Children” book series)
- Jessie the Cowgirl (character from the “Toy Story” franchise)
- Jessie (character in the book and movie “A Little Princess”)
- Jessie Bill (character in the book “Gerald's Game” by Stephen King)
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Aynur_sib.