Jacquilyn is a unique and distinctive given name of French origin. It is derived from the French male name Jacques, which is ultimately derived from the Latin name Jacobus. This name has been quite popular in France for centuries and has since gained international recognition.
The meaning behind Jacquilyn is "supplanter" or "hold by the heel," which refers to the biblical story of Jacob wrestling with an angel. The name Jacob also means "may God protect," reflecting the divine intervention that helped Jacob overcome his struggles.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried this name. In France, Jacques IV de Chabannes was a prominent military leader during the Italian Wars in the 16th century. Additionally, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the former First Lady of the United States, popularized the feminine form of the name, Jacqueline.
While Jacquilyn may not be as widespread as some other names, it has left its mark on history and continues to capture attention with its unique sound and rich meaning. Those who bear this name often stand out due to their distinctiveness, much like the individuals throughout history who have carried it before them.
The name Jacquilyn has seen a varied history of popularity over the years in the United States. The earliest recorded birth with this name occurred in 1929, with only five babies being given this distinctive moniker that year.
Over the next decade and a half, Jacquilyn's popularity fluctuated significantly. In 1940, six births were recorded, followed by decreases to five births in both 1944 and 1947. However, there was a resurgence in 1949 with another six births.
The 1950s saw continued variation, with seven births in 1953, eight in both 1968 and 1969, and five more in 1972. The late seventies saw another uptick with five births in 1975, six in 1977, and then eight again in 1980.
The 1980s proved to be the most popular decade for the name Jacquilyn. It started strong with fifteen births in 1982, followed by eight births each year from 1983 to 1985. The trend continued upward with seventeen births in 1987 and fifteen births again in both 1988 and 1989.
However, the popularity of Jacquilyn began to decline in the nineties. There were twenty-one births in 1991, but this number steadily decreased over the course of the decade, reaching a low of six births each year from 1999 to 2001. Since then, the name has maintained a steady level of popularity with five births recorded both in 2005 and 2006.
In total, there have been 342 babies named Jacquilyn born in the United States since records began in 1929. Despite its fluctuations in popularity over time, this unique name remains a classic choice for parents looking to honor tradition while also celebrating individuality.