Jack (given name)

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title: "Jack (given name)" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["english-language-masculine-given-names", "english-language-feminine-given-names", "english-masculine-given-names", "masculine-given-names", "english-feminine-given-names", "english-language-unisex-given-names", "dutch-masculine-given-names", "dutch-feminine-given-names", "feminine-given-names", "irish-masculine-given-names", "irish-feminine-given-names", "hypocorisms"] topic_path: "geography/netherlands" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_(given_name)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox Given Name Revised"]

FieldValue
nameJack
imageJack 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
captionIllustration of Jack from the English fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk
pronunciation
genderMale
languageEnglish
languageoriginEnglish
meaning"Yahweh has been Gracious", "Graced by Yahweh" (John), "He may/will/shall follow/heed/seize-by-the-heel/watch/guard/protect”, "Supplanter/Assailant", "May God protect" or "May he protect" (Jacques), and possibly "health"
regionEngland
originMiddle English, indirect diminutive of "John" or from an anglicized form of French "Jacques"
nicknameJackie, Jacky, Jay
related namesJohn, James, Jacob, Jackson, Jacques, Jacqueline, Jock
::

| name = Jack | image = 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 | caption = Illustration of Jack from the English fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk | pronunciation = | gender = Male | language = English | languageorigin = English | meaning = "Yahweh has been Gracious", "Graced by Yahweh" (John), "He may/will/shall follow/heed/seize-by-the-heel/watch/guard/protect”, "Supplanter/Assailant", "May God protect" or "May he protect" (Jacques), and possibly "health" | region = England | origin = Middle English, indirect diminutive of "John" or from an anglicized form of French "Jacques" | nickname = Jackie, Jacky, Jay | related names = John, James, Jacob, Jackson, Jacques, Jacqueline, Jock | popularity = ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Popularity_of_name_Jack.svg" caption="Jack is popular in the countries shown in green"] ::

Jack is a given name of English origin, originally a diminutive of John. In Jewish communities, it has also been used as a diminutive Jacob. In modern usage Jack is often a given name on its own, although it can still be used as a diminutive of given names such as Jackson (which is originally a patronymic surname derived from Jack itself). 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 given name, often as a shortened version of Jacqueline.

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 thought by some to have derived from the earlier Jackin (from the name Jankin). Alternatively, it may be derived from an anglicisation of Jacques, the French form of the name James or Jacob. There is also a theory that it is Celtic in origin, meaning "healthy, strong, full of vital energy" (compare the Welsh word iach, "health"), from a putative Ancient British Yakkios. 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.

Frequency

In several English-speaking countries, Jack has become increasingly used as a formal name, rather than being a mere nickname as it traditionally has been. In its own right, it is now more popular than John, James, and Jacob. In recent years, Jack has been the most common given name for boys in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia, and has grown in popularity in the United States and Canada.

John —from which Jack was originally derived— was, along with William, the most frequent male name throughout the 19th century and in the first half of the 20th century.{{cite journal | first = Douglas A. | last = Galbi | url = http://www.galbithink.org/names.htm | title = Long-Term Trends in Personal Given Name Frequencies in England and Wales | version = 1.1 | publisher = (self-published) | date = 2002-07-20 | access-date = 2008-02-10 |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/specials/babiesnames_boys.asp |title=Top 100 names for baby boys in England and Wales |access-date=2008-02-09 |year=2007 |work=National Statistics Online |publisher=Office for National Statistics |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522193009/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/specials/babiesnames_boys.asp |archive-date=May 22, 2011 |url = http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/index/news/most-popular-baby-names.htm |title = Jack and Katie are the most popular baby names in Northern Ireland |access-date = 2008-02-10 |date = 2007-12-19 |work = News |publisher = Department of Finance and Personnel, Northern Ireland |quote = Jack has been the most popular male name since 2003.... |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120415165317/http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/404 |archive-date = 2012-04-15 |title=Jack and Emma were the most popular first names in Northern Ireland in 2003 |publisher=Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency |date=2004-01-02 |access-date=2008-02-14 |url=http://www.groni.gov.uk/Publication/512004111434.pdf |quote=Jack and Emma were the most popular first names given to children whose births were registered in Northern Ireland in 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929210813/https://www.groni.gov.uk/Publication/512004111434.pdf |archive-date=2006-09-29

In 2014, Jack was again the most popular name for baby boys in Ireland.

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

According to the United States Census of 1990, Jack is an uncommon American name, the given name for 0.315% of the male population and 0.001% of the female population.{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/namesearch.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970207210525/http://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/namesearch.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1997-02-07 |title=Name search results |access-date=2008-02-09 |date=2007-09-07 |work=Search name files from 1990 Census |publisher=United States Census Bureau |quote=NAME(female):JACK ; RANK:3217; %FREQ (CUMM FREQ):0.001 (88.832) |url=https://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/namesearch.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970207210525/http://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/namesearch.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1997-02-07 |title=Name search results |access-date=2008-02-09 |date=2007-09-07 |work=Search name files from 1990 Census |publisher=United States Census Bureau |quote=NAME(male):JACK ; RANK:53; %FREQ (CUMM FREQ):0.315 (48.102)

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

Jock is a common diminutive of the name John in Scotland.

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.

People with the given name

People with the nickname

  • John S. Gemperle (born 1982), better known as Papa Jack, Filipino radio DJ and TV personality

Fictional characters

Folklore and nursery rhymes

Films and novels

Television

Video games

Mascots

Other

  • Dr. Jack Bright, a character featured in several stories and articles produced for the collaborative fiction project SCP Foundation
  • Jack Flag, superhero appearing in American comic books
  • Jack "Wylder" Dean, character and cameraman for several tapes in the analog horror series Gemini Home Entertainment

References

References

  1. {{Cite EB1911
  2. Margolies, Beverly B.. (January 4, 2007). "Jewish name-branding: What happened to 'Jacob'?".
  3. (July 13, 2013). "Alright Jack".
  4. (n.d.). "Jack". Thinkbabynames.com.
  5. Campbell, Mike. (n.d.). "Behind the Name: Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Jack". Mike Campbell.
  6. "Jack - Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity".
  7. "Dictionary entry, jack". [[Ask.com]].
  8. (January 9, 2015). "So, what were the most-popular baby names in Ireland last year?". Kidspot.
  9. (April 2, 2013). "Australia's 100 most popular baby names". Kidspot.
  10. "General Population and Housing Characteristics: 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  11. "Popular Baby Names".
  12. "Table 17-10-0147-01 First names at birth by sex at birth, selected indicators (Number)".
  13. {{Cite EB1911

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english-language-masculine-given-namesenglish-language-feminine-given-namesenglish-masculine-given-namesmasculine-given-namesenglish-feminine-given-namesenglish-language-unisex-given-namesdutch-masculine-given-namesdutch-feminine-given-namesfeminine-given-namesirish-masculine-given-namesirish-feminine-given-nameshypocorisms