Jack
Jack is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
God is gracious (via John), or supplanter (via James).
Origin and history
Jack originated in the Middle Ages as a diminutive of John, though it was later also associated with Jackson or used as an independent name. It has been a perennial favorite in traditional English-speaking naming customs for centuries. In the United States, it remains one of the most popular classic names for boys.
Popularity in the United States
756,943 babies in the United States have been named Jack since 1880. It ranks #46 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #14.
States where it is most popular
- CA (8.4 %)
- NY (7.1 %)
- TX (6.2 %)
- OH (5.9 %)
- IL (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,684 |
| 1890-1900 | 4,635 |
| 1900-1910 | 9,222 |
| 1910-1920 | 49,526 |
| 1920-1930 | 115,983 |
| 1930-1940 | 96,396 |
| 1940-1950 | 73,919 |
| 1950-1960 | 62,387 |
| 1960-1970 | 35,593 |
| 1970-1980 | 18,562 |
| 1980-1990 | 15,944 |
| 1990-2000 | 37,501 |
| 2000-2010 | 95,512 |
| 2010-2019 | 85,695 |
| 2020-2029 | 53,384 |
Famous people named Jack
- Jack Nicholson: Actor, Filmmaker
- Jack Black: Actor, Musician
- Jack London: Author, Journalist
Fun facts
- Jack appears more than almost any other name in traditional nursery rhymes, such as Jack and Jill and Little Jack Horner.
- Though originally a nickname for John, Jack became a fully independent given name centuries ago.