Jack Name Meaning + Origins, Variations, & Popularity

Overview

Curious about Jack name meaning and its origins?

This baby boy name primarily means “God is gracious,” which originates as a diminutive of John, a biblical boy name.

It also has links to the biblical names “Jacob” and “James.”

While Jack isn’t currently on the list of the most popular baby names by the SSA (Social Security Administration), it’s still a commonly used given name or nickname. (1)

Information About Jack

Jack Name Meaning

“God is gracious” – variant of the name John
“Supplanter” or “the one who replaces” – diminutive of “James” and “Jacob”

It also has other meanings or connotations in other languages (see below).

Jack Meaning As A Celtic & Welsh Baby Name

Celtic name: “Healthy and strong”
Welsh name: “Health” (comes from the Welsh word “iach,” which means “health”)

What Is The Greek Meaning Of Jack?

It isn’t directly considered a Greek name but has some origins as a Greek and Latin variant of the Hebrew name “Yochanan” (John).

What Does The Scottish Name Jack Mean?

It’s also a diminutive of John as a Scottish name.

Jack Meaning As An English Baby Name

Jack is an English boy name that means “God is gracious.”

It was also used to mean “boy” or “man” during the Middle Ages, coming from the Norman name “Jackin” (man).

Jack Meaning As A Shakespearean Baby Name

It can mean “rebel” after Jack Cade, a character in William Shakespeare’s historical play, “Henry VI, Part 2.”

Jack Meaning As A Polish Baby Name

Jack also means “God is gracious” as a Polish name.

Jack Meaning As A Hebrew Baby Name

Jack means “supplanter” as a derivative of the Hebrew name “Jacob.”

Jack Meaning As A French Baby Name

Jack means “supplanter” as a variant of the French boy name “Jacques.”

Jack Meaning As An American Baby Name

Jack is linked to “John” as an American baby name.

Due to its other meanings, Jack is also considered a metaphor for “any man” or “common man.” The best example of this is the term “jack of all trades,” which means “a man who knows a lot of trades or skills.”

Origin & History

The name Jack is a primarily English name that began as “John” in the Middle Ages.

It went from “John” to “Johnkin” before becoming “Jankin.” The name then transformed to “Jackin” and later shortened to “Jack.”

It’s often considered a nickname for the given name John, yet it can also be a short boy name that can stand on its own as a first name.

It also has links to “Jackson,” a first and last name that means “son of John” or “son of Jack.”

Jack might also have roots in names from Scotland or the Middle Ages, including “Jak,” “Jakke,” and “Jagge.”

Pronunciation

“Jak”

Is Jack A Last Name?

Yes. Jack is a common last name in Scotland and is also used in the US and England.

One of its variants, “Jackson,” is also commonly used as a first and last name.

What’s the Gender Of Jack?

It comes from the primarily masculine name John, but “Jack” (or its variations such as Jac) is considered a gender-neutral (can be used for any gender) or nonbinary name (doesn’t identify with one specific gender).

Certain variants, however, aren’t gender-free (e.g., “Jacob” is primarily male; “Jacqueline” and “Jacklyn” are girl names).

US Stats: Is The Name Jack Popular?

Jack Popularity Trend Over The Years

Jack* hasn’t been in the top 10 list of popular baby names in the US since 2000, but it’s still within the top 50. (1)

*Search for name popularity under “Items of Interest” on the SSA website (ssa.gov/oact/babynames/index.html). (1)

Jack Popularity In US States

Jack wasn’t listed in the top 5 in any US state for births from 1922 to 2021 (latest SSA data). (2)

Why Is The Name Jack So Popular?

Jack remains in the top 50 favorite names in the US. It’s popular because of its versatility as a first name, middle name, nickname, or last name.

FAQs About Jack Name Meaning

Is Jack A Biblical Name?

No. It isn’t found in the Bible, but it still has links to biblical names “John,” “James,” and “Jacob.”

What Does The Name Jack Mean In The Bible?

It’s derived from “John,” the apostle believed to be the author of the Book of John.” There are four other Johns in the Bible.

It also comes from “James” (another apostle) and “Jacob” (one of Israel’s founders and father of the 12 tribes).

Is Jack A Romantic Name?

Yes. It’s linked to Jack Dawson, the love interest of the “Titanic” character and survivor Rose DeWitt Bukater.

Is Jack A Royal Or Prince Name?

Jack is considered more of a knight’s name than a prince name.

What’s The Personality Of Someone Named Jack?

Chivalrous (with its links to knights)
Religious and kind (with its links to biblical names)
Filled with health and energy (Celtic and Welsh origins)
Manly and hardworking (English and Norman origins)

Jack Boy Name Variations

Giacobo
Giacomo
Hans
Hansen
Hanson
Iacovo
Iago
Iaian
Ian
Ivan
Jac
Jaccob
Jachob
Jacinto
Jackin
Jackob
Jackson
Jaco
Jacob
Jacobb
Jacobi
Jacobo
Jacobson
Jacopo
Jacques
Jacub
Jaecob
Jaenda
Jaicob
Jake
Jakob
Jakub
Jalu
Janco
Janos
Jansen
Janson
Jantje
Jascha
Jeb
Jecis
Jehan
Jehann
Jeks
Jenkin
Jenkins
Jenkyn
Jenkyns
Jenner
Jennings
Jens
Jense
Jentz
Jeska
Jocek
Jock
Jocko
Jocob
Jocobb
Joen
Joenes
Joennes
Joenns
Johahn
Johan
Johanan
Johann
Johannan
Johannes
Johaun
John
Johnavon
Johne
Johnnie
Johnny
Johnsie
Johnson
Johon
Jokubus
Jone
Jones
Joness
Jonesy
Jonnel
Jontavius
Jovan
Juan
Juho
Seain
Sean
Shane
Shawn
Yaacov
Yacov
Yago
Yakov
Yochanan
Zane

Jack Unisex & Girl Name Variations

Jackie
Jacklyn
Jacqueline
Jacoba
Jacobina
Jacobine
Jayme
Jian
Johane
Juha
Juhana
Juhanah
Juhanna
Juhannah

What Are Nicknames & Diminutives For The Name Jack?

Jackie
Jackers
John
Jacki
Jackie
Jacks
Jacky
Jake

Names You Can Pair With Jack

Middle Names For Boys To Pair With Jack

Anthony
Cyrus
David
Henry
Lee
Perry
Rafael
Richard
Xander

Suggested Twin Or Sibling Names

Jack’s Sister Names

Ava
Clara
Ella
Ivy
Jane
Jane
Kate
Rose
Sarah

Jack’s Brother Names

Alexander
Andrew
Ashton
August
Benjamin
Blair
Blake
Cameron
Carter
Daniel
Drew
Finn
Henry
Jude
Julian
Liam
Max
Owen
Riley
Samuel
Sidney
William

Rhyming Or Similar Names

Jace
Jag
Jase
Jax
Jay
Josh
Mach
Zac
Zach
Zack
Zak

Other Boy Names That Start with J

Jasper
Jeremiah
Jerry
Jonathan
Jordan
Jorge
Joshua
Jude
Judah
Jules
Justin

Famous Jack Celebrities & Figures

Jack Barakat – Lead guitarist of “All Time Low”
Jack Black – American actor and musician
Jack Joseph Osbourne – English media personality
Jack Kerouac – American novelist and poet
Jack Nicholson – American Actor
Jack White – American singer-songwriter and producer

Famous Jackies & Other Name Variations

Jackie Chan – Hong Kong martial artist and actor
Jackie Fullerton – TV presenter in Ireland
Jacqueline “Jackie” Kennedy – Former US First Lady

Fictional Characters Named Jack In Pop Culture & Fiction

Captain Jack Sparrow – Main character in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie series
Jack in nursery rhymes “Jack and Jill,” “Little Jack Horner,” and “Jack Sprat”
Jack in the fairytale “Jack and the Beanstalk”
Jack Dawson – Protagonist in the “Titanic” movie
Jack Hammer – Character in video game “Ace Attorney”
Jack Tripper – Character in the TV show “Three’s Company”

Celebrities Who Chose Jack Names For Their Babies

Chris Pratt and Anna Faris – Jack Pratt
Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis – Jack Depp

Celebrities With Jack As Last Name

Jarrett Jack – American professional basketball coach and former player
Jill Jack – American singer-songwriter

Celebrities & Other People Named Jackson

Jackson Browne – American singer-songwriter
Jackson Pollock – American painter

Jack In Songs

Captain Jack – Billy Joel
Hey Jack Kerouac – 10,000 Maniacs
Jack and Jill – Andrew Calhoun
Jack Names the Planets – Ash
Jack of All Trades – Hot Water Music
Jack on Fire – The Gun Club, Blanche

Name Lists With “Jack” On Motherhood Community

You can also find ideas from the top 15 baby name generators.

Other Baby Name Meanings

Baby Name Lists By Letter

Other Resources For Pregnant Moms

References

(1) https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/index.html

(2) https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/top5names.html