Jocqueline is a unique and distinctive female name of French origin. It is derived from the French masculine name Jacques, which itself comes from the Latin name Iacobus. This name has a long history and significant meaning.
The name Jacques is believed to have originated from the Hebrew name Jacob, which means "supplanter" or "held by the heel." In the biblical story of Jacob and Esau, Jacob was born holding onto his brother's heel, hence the name's meaning. Over time, Jacques became a popular name in France and other parts of Europe.
The feminine form of Jacques is Jacqueline, and Jocqueline is a variant spelling of this name. Like Jacques, Jocqueline is not particularly common but carries a certain elegance and uniqueness that sets it apart from more familiar names.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures with the name Jocqueline. One example is French novelist and poet Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, who was known by her pen name, Colette. Born in 1873, she became one of France's most celebrated authors, known for her semi-autobiographical novels.
In summary, Jocqueline is a rare but elegant female name with roots in French and Hebrew history. Its meaning, derived from the biblical figure Jacob, adds depth to this distinctive name.
The name Jocqueline has appeared on birth records in the United States for at least two years: 1969 and 1987. Specifically, there were five girls named Jocqueline born each of those years. This means that over these two decades, a total of ten baby girls were given this unique name across the country.