Jack (given name)

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Jack
Jack and the bean-stalk, by Elizabeth Tyler, published by the National Child Welfare Association, c. 1918-1920, from the Digital Commonwealth - commonwealth xd07mb970 (cropped).jpg
Illustration of Jack from the English fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk
Pronunciation /æk/
Gender Male
Language English
Origin
Language English
Word/nameMiddle English, indirect diminutive of "John" or from an anglicized form of French "Jacques"
Meaning"Yahweh is gracious" [1] , "holder of the heel" or "supplanter" [2]
Region of origin England
Other names
Nicknames Jackie, Jacky, Jay
Related names John, James, Jacob, Jackson, Jacques, Jacqueline, Jock
Jack is popular in the countries shown in green Popularity of name Jack.svg
Jack is popular in the countries shown in green

Jack is a given name of English origin. In modern usage, Jack is often a given name on its own, although it can be used as a diminutive of other given names. Since the late 20th century, Jack has become one of the most common names for boys in many English-speaking countries. Jack is also used to a much lesser extent as a female name, often as a shortened version of Jacqueline.[ citation needed ]

Contents

The word "jack" is also commonly used in other contexts in English for many occupations, objects and actions, linked to the use of the word as a metaphor for a common man.

Origin

Jack is derived from the Middle English diminutive Jackin, an alteration of Jankin. Jankin is a diminutive of Jan which is derived from the Old French name Jehan, a form of John. [1] [2] Alternatively, it may be derived from an anglicisation of Jacques, the French form of the name James or Jacob. [1]

Both the name and the word "jack" were long used as a term to refer to any man (including boys), especially of the common classes. [3] [4]

Frequency

In several English-speaking countries, Jack has become used as a formal given name and is now more popular than John, James, or Jacob. During the first decade of the 21st century, Jack was the most common given name for boys in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia, and grew in popularity in the United States and Canada. [2]

Jack appeared on the lists of the most frequently used male-baby names in the UK for 2003–2007. [5] [6] [7]

From 2000 to 2024, Jack was either the number 1 or 2 most popular name for baby boys in Ireland. [8] [9]

In 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2013, Jack was the most common name given to boys in Australia. [10]

The frequency of Jack as a baby name in the US has steadily increased from the 160–170 rank prior to 1991 to a rank of 11 in 2021. [11]

In 2022, it was the tenth most common name given to boys in Canada. [12]

Other uses in English

The name Jack is unusual in the English language for its frequent use as a noun or verb for many common objects and actions, and in many compound words and phrases.

Examples include implements, such as a car jack, knucklebones (the game jacks), or the jack in bowls.

The word is also used in other words and phrases such as: apple jack, hijack, jack of clubs (playing card), jack straw (scarecrow), jack tar (sailor), jack-in-the-box, jack-of-all-trades, Jack the lad, jack o'lantern, jackdaw, jackhammer, jackknife, jackpot, lumberjack, Union Jack, etc.

The history of the word is linked to the name being used as a by-name for a man. [3]

People with the given name

People with the nickname

Fictional characters

Folklore and nursery rhymes

Films and novels

Television

Video games

Mascots

Other

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hanks, Patrick (2006). A dictionary of first names (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN   9780191726675.
  2. 1 2 3 Campbell, Mike (n.d.). "Behind the Name: Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Jack". Behind the Name. Mike Campbell. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  3. 1 2 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Jack"  . Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 15 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 106–107, see lines six and seven. "Jack" was early used as a general term for any man of the common people, especially in combination with the woman's name Jill or Gill, as in the nursery rhyme
  4. "Dictionary entry, jack". Dictionary.com . Ask.com . Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  5. "Top 100 names for baby boys in England and Wales". National Statistics Online. Office for National Statistics. 2007. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2008.
  6. "Jack and Katie are the most popular baby names in Northern Ireland". News. Department of Finance and Personnel, Northern Ireland. December 19, 2007. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2008. Jack has been the most popular male name since 2003....
  7. "Jack and Emma were the most popular first names in Northern Ireland in 2003" (PDF) (Press release). Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. January 2, 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2006. Retrieved February 14, 2008. Jack and Emma were the most popular first names given to children whose births were registered in Northern Ireland in 2003
  8. Campbell, Michael. "Popularity for the name Jack - Behind the Name". www.behindthename.com. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
  9. "So, what were the most-popular baby names in Ireland last year?". Kidspot. January 9, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  10. "Australia's 100 most popular baby names". Kidspot. April 2, 2013. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  11. Campbell, Michael. "Popularity for the name Jack - Behind the Name". www.behindthename.com. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
  12. "Table 17-10-0147-01 First names at birth by sex at birth, selected indicators (Number)". Statistics Canada. Retrieved August 25, 2024.