"God beholds, foresight"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Jessa
Girl Name
#2,040 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A fresh, modern take on the classic Jessica
English
American
Christian
Modern
Playful
Gentle
Meaning & Origin
"wealthy, gift"
Origin: Hebrew (Jesse root)
Language: Hebrew
Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Jessa Duggar from the reality TV show 19 Kids and Counting
The Story of Jessa
Jessa is a modern short form of Jessica, which was coined or popularized by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice for the character Shylock's daughter. Shakespeare likely based it on the Hebrew Iscah (Yiskah), meaning 'God beholds' or 'foresight.' Alternatively, it may derive from Jesse, meaning 'gift' or 'wealthy.' Jessa as a standalone name emerged in the late 20th century.
Jessa has been rising as parents seek the feel of Jessica without the dated 1980s peak of that name. It sits alongside other truncated classics like Tessa (from Theresa) and Cora (from Cordelia) as modern alternatives to traditional full names.
The name gained some visibility through Jessa Duggar from the reality TV series 19 Kids and Counting, though it exists independently of that association. The name reflects the American trend toward shorter, simpler versions of longer names.
Fun Facts
- Shakespeare created the name Jessica (parent of Jessa) for The Merchant of Venice around 1596
- Jessica was the #1 girls' name in the US from 1985-1995, making Jessa a fresh alternative for modern parents
Jessa in Other Languages
French
Jessa
German
Jessa
Hebrew
יסכה
Italian
Jessa
Spanish
Jessa
Famous People Named Jessa
J
Jessa Duggar Seewald
Other
1992
American television personality from the reality show 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On
J
Jessa Hinton
Other
1985
American model and television personality known for appearances in men's magazines
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,040
- Total SSA Count
- 95
- Cultural Origins
- English American Christian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jess
Jessie
Pairs Well With
Jessa Rose
Jessa Mae
Jessa Lynn
Jessa Grace
Jessa Claire
Jessa Beth
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Jessa is also used as a boy name, ranked #29035.
View Jessa as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jessa
What does the name Jessa mean?
"God beholds, foresight" (from Hebrew). "wealthy, gift" (from Hebrew (Jesse root)). Jessa is a modern short form of Jessica, which was coined or popularized by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice for the character Shylock's daughter. Shakespeare likely based it on the Hebrew Iscah (Yiskah), meaning 'God beholds' or 'foresight.' Alternatively, it may derive from Jesse, meaning 'gift' or 'wealthy.' Jessa as a standalone name emerged in the late 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Jessa?
Jessa has Hebrew, Hebrew (Jesse root), English, American, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "God beholds, foresight". In Hebrew (Jesse root), it means "wealthy, gift".
Is Jessa a boy or girl name?
Jessa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2040. As a boy name, it is ranked #29035. Jessa is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Jessa?
Jessa is currently ranked #2040 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jessa?
Common nicknames for Jessa include Jess and Jessie.
What are good middle names for Jessa?
Popular middle name pairings include Jessa Rose, Jessa Mae, Jessa Lynn, Jessa Grace, Jessa Claire, and Jessa Beth.
What are good sibling names for Jessa?
Names that pair well with Jessa as siblings include Tessa, Cora, Eliza, Finn, Declan, and Luca.
How many syllables does Jessa have?
Jessa has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jessa a common or rare name?
Jessa is an uncommon name, ranked #2040 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Jessa
Jessa is a girl name with English, American, and Christian origins . The name means "God beholds, foresight" in Hebrew .
Is Jessa a boy or girl name? Jessa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,040 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #29,035. Jessa is more commonly used as a girl name.
Jessa is currently ranked #2,040 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Jessa has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Jessa include Jess and Jessie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Jessa include Jessica, Jessie, Jesse, Jesslyn, Jessi . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.