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Jessie

♀ Girl

Pronounced JES-ee /ˈdʒɛs.i/High

Meaning: Pet form of Jessica or Jesse, ultimately from the Hebrew Yishai meaning 'God exists' or 'gift', the name of the father of King David in the Hebrew BibleHigh

In 30 seconds: Jessie is a cheerful, approachable pet form of Jessica or Jesse, rooted in the Hebrew name Yishai meaning God exists. It has been used as an independent name for both girls and boys for over a century.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningPet form of Jessica or Jesse, ultimately from the Hebrew Yishai meaning 'God exists' or 'gift', the name of the father of King David in the Hebrew Bible
U.S. rank (2025)#824 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births330 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1918
Total births (all-time)≈ 170,034

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191818802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Jessie developed as a Scottish and English pet form of Janet or Jean (ultimately from Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious'), and independently as a short form of Jessica (possibly coined by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice, 1596) and Jesse (from Hebrew Yishai, meaning 'gift' or 'God exists'). Jesse was the father of King David, giving the name deep biblical roots.

Jessie has been used as a girls name in Scotland and England since the 18th century, particularly popular in the Victorian era. In the United States it was used for both sexes in the 19th century — men named Jesse (like outlaw Jesse James) and women named Jessie coexisted. Today it remains warmly familiar, now used predominantly for girls in English-speaking countries.

Did you know? Jessie James, the notorious American outlaw, shared his name with the biblical Jesse — father of King David — giving Jessie a Wild West chapter alongside its biblical heritage.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — Jessie — Hebrew etymology and Scottish usage historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

JessyeJessiJesseJessica

Nicknames

Jess

Famous Bearers

  • ★Jessie J (1988–present)
    British singer-songwriter known for hits including Price Tag and Domino.
  • ★Jessica Biel (1982–present)
    American actress known for her role as Mary Camden in 7th Heaven and for films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

If you like Jessie…

Josie— same cheerful two-syllable vintage -ie name for girls
Nellie— shares the warm Victorian-revival -ie nickname style
Ellie— fellow bright, friendly -ie ending girls name
Cassie— same approachable pet-form feel as a standalone name

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jessie mean?

Jessie comes from the Hebrew Yishai meaning God exists or gift, as a short form of Jessica or Jesse.

How do you pronounce Jessie?

It is said JES-ee, with two syllables.

Is Jessie a girl or boy name?

Jessie is now primarily a girls name but has been used for both sexes; Jesse is the more common male spelling.

Is Jessie a popular name?

Jessie was very popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and has experienced a modest revival in recent decades.