The girl's name Jessica \j(e)-ssi-ca\ is pronounced JESS-a-kah. It is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is "He sees". Coined by Shakespeare (from the Old Testament Iscah or Jesca) in "The Merchant of Venice" for Shylock's daughter, a young Jewish woman who elopes with Lorenzo and converts to Christianity. Singer Jessica Simpson; actresses Jessica Lange, Jessica Tandy, Jessica Alba, Jessica Capshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker.

ORIGIN
Hebrew

MEANING
He sees

A form of the Old Testament name Iscah or Jesca found in early translations of the Bible. William Shakespeare changed the name to Jessica and used it for a young Jewish girl in his play, "The Merchant of Venice." The name became a favorite among Jewish families. It held the No. 1 position nine times during the 1980s and 1990s, influenced by award-winning actresses Jessica Tandy and Jessica Lange. A top 20 name in several countries outside the United States.

VARIATIONS
Jesse

ALTERNATIVES
Jessika Jesica

NICKNAMES
Jessie Jessa Jess

FAMOUS Jessicas
Jessica Alba (actress) Jessica Mitford (British writer) Jessica Biel (actress) Jessica Fletcher ("Murder She Wrote" character) Jessica Dube (Canadian figure skater) Jessica Simpson (singer/actress) Jessica Capshaw (actress) Jessica Andrews (singer) Jessica Sierra (American Idol finalist)

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