Jessica is a popular given name of Latin origin, meaning "God beholds" or "God sees". It is derived from the Late Latin word "Iessa," which means "to see" or "behold." The name Jessica first appeared in English literature in William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice," published around 1600. In the play, Jessica is the daughter of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Although the character is not particularly prominent in the story, her name has become widely known and associated with the work. Today, Jessica remains a popular choice for parents naming their daughters, ranking among the top 500 names for girls in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite its origins, Jessica is not exclusively used by people of Jewish faith; it has been adopted as a secular name by families across various cultures and religions worldwide.
"The name Jessica has been a popular choice among parents in the United States for several years, with a consistent number of babies being named Jessica each year. In 1985, there were 5 births with the name Jessica, and this number increased slightly to 6 births in 1986. Overall, between these two years, there were a total of 11 babies named Jessica born in the United States."