Jack
Jack: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈd͡ʒæk/ · [ˈd͡ʒæk]
Meaning and origin of Jack
Root meaning: “John”
- A unisex given name derived from a pet form of the name John. Occasionally a diminutive of other given names such as Jackson, Jacob, Jacqueline or Jonathan.
Etymology
From Middle English Jak, Jakke (also Jackin, Jankyn, etc.), from Anglo-Norman Jakke, *Janke, from Middle Dutch Janke, diminutive of Jan (“John”); equivalent to John + -kin. Doublet of Yankee. It can be also used as nickname for Jacob. Though the name was originally a pet form, it has become more of an independent name. See also Middle French Hennequin, Jannequin, Middle Dutch Janneken, English Jake and Jacques.
How popular is Jack?
Since 1880, 2,734 girls and 756,943 boys in the U.S. have been named Jack (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #723 in 1928. Its highest rank for boys was #11 in 2021. In 2025 it ranked #15 for boys, with 8,754 babies given the name.
Names similar to Jack
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Jack
Sister and brother names that share Jack's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Jack FAQ
What does the name Jack mean?
Jack traces back to a root meaning "John". A unisex given name derived from a pet form of the name John. Occasionally a diminutive of other given names such as Jackson, Jacob, Jacqueline or Jonathan. From Middle English Jak, Jakke (also Jackin, Jankyn, etc.), from Anglo-Norman Jakke, *Janke, from Middle Dutch Janke, diminutive of Jan (“John”); equivalent to John + -kin. Doublet of Yankee. It can be also used as nickname for Jacob. Though the name was originally a pet form, it has become more of an independent name. See also Middle French Hennequin, Jannequin, Middle Dutch Janneken, English Jake and Jacques.
What is the origin of the name Jack?
Jack is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Jack?
Since 1880, 2,734 girls and 756,943 boys in the U.S. have been named Jack (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #723 in 1928. Its highest rank for boys was #11 in 2021. In 2025 it ranked #15 for boys, with 8,754 babies given the name.
Is Jack a boy or girl name?
Jack is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 2,734 girls and 756,943 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.