Jacquelyn is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the French name Jacqueline, which itself comes from the masculine name Jacquette. The name Jacquette is believed to have originated from the nickname form of Jacques, which means "supplanter" or "follower of Saint James." Therefore, Jacquelyn can be interpreted as meaning "one who follows Saint James."
The name Jacquelyn has been popular in English-speaking countries for several decades. It gained prominence in the United States during the mid-20th century and remained a popular choice throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Today, Jacquelyn is still used as a given name, although its popularity has waned somewhat since its peak in the latter half of the 20th century.
Some notable individuals named Jacquelyn include American actresses Jaclyn Smith and Jacqueline Bisset, both of whom were born in the mid-20th century. The name Jacquelyn also appears in literature and popular culture, such as in the character Jackie Kennedy, who was the wife of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
Overall, Jacquelyn is a classic feminine given name with French origins and a timeless meaning that has been associated with strength and grace for centuries. While its popularity may have fluctuated over time, Jacquelyn remains an attractive choice for parents seeking a distinctive yet traditional name for their daughter.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Jacquelyn in the United States from 1942 to 1990. Over this period, there were a total of 110 babies named Jacquelyn born in the US.
The highest number of Jacquelyns was born in 1982, with 10 babies sharing this name that year. This peak could indicate a popular trend or cultural influence during this time.
Interestingly, the number of Jacquelyn births tends to fluctuate between 5 and 8 per year, with only two exceptions: the peak in 1982 mentioned earlier, and another spike in 1970 when 6 babies were named Jacquelyn. This consistency suggests that while Jacquelyn may not have been a top choice for baby names during this period, it was consistently chosen by some parents each year.
In terms of decades, the 1980s had the highest number of Jacquelyn births with 27 babies, while the 1960s and 1970s both had 24 births each. The 1950s had only 11 Jacquelyn births, and there were none in the 1930s or 1990s based on these statistics.
Overall, while not a extremely common name, Jacquelyn has maintained a steady presence among baby names in the United States over this period.