The name Jacqueline is of French origin and means "God will protect." It is a feminine form of the male name Jacques, which comes from the Latin name Jacobus. This name has been widely used in France since the Middle Ages and was popular among French royalty.
In the 20th century, Jacqueline became popular outside of France, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Today, it is still a well-known and beloved name around the world.
The name Jacqueline has been popular among parents in the United States over the past century, with a total of 1,391 girls being named Jacqueline between 1923 and 2013.
The popularity of the name Jacqueline fluctuated throughout the years. It peaked in 1964 with 48 births, which was the highest number recorded during this period. This was followed by another peak in 1989 with 39 births.
Interestingly, there were several periods where the name Jacqueline was quite popular among parents. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the name consistently ranked high, with over 15 births per year between 1957 and 1964. Additionally, in the mid-1980s to early 1990s, there were around 20 to 30 girls named Jacqueline each year.
However, towards the end of this period, from 2002 onwards, the popularity of the name Jacqueline significantly decreased. There were only five births recorded in 2008 and again in 2013, which was a significant drop compared to previous years.
Despite its decline in recent years, the name Jacqueline has been and continues to be a popular choice among parents in the United States. It's clear that this classic and timeless name has stood the test of time and will likely continue to be chosen by parents for generations to come.