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Jessie

Pronunciation: [ j-EHS-ee ]

Boy Name #1,266 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A Wild West classic with a biblical soul

English American Scottish
Playful Vintage Classic Earthy

Meaning & Origin

"God exists, gift"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
"wealthy gift"
Origin: Old English
Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

  • Often perceived as primarily feminine in modern usage, may cause confusion for boys

The Story of Jessie

Jessie as a boys' name derives from Jesse, the Hebrew name meaning 'God exists' or 'gift.' In the Bible, Jesse was the father of King David, making it a name of royal lineage. In Scotland, Jessie developed as an independent given name for both boys and girls, particularly in rural communities. In America, it became associated with the Wild West through Jesse James.

Jessie for boys peaked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in America, strongly associated with outlaws, cowboys, and frontier culture. The name Jesse James (1847-1882) gave it a rebellious, romantic edge. In the UK, it remained more unisex. Today it's more commonly used for girls in the US, making it a bold but potentially confusing choice for boys.

In American Western mythology, Jessie/Jesse is the archetypal frontier name — rugged, free-spirited, and independent. Jesse James is one of the most legendary figures of the American West. In Scotland, Jessie has a different, gentler connotation as a traditional Scots name.

Fun Facts

  • Jesse James, the infamous outlaw, was killed on April 3, 1882 by a fellow gang member for a $5,000 reward
  • In Toy Story, Jessie the cowgirl popularized the name for girls in the 1990s-2000s
  • Jesse is one of the ancestors of Jesus in the New Testament genealogies

Jessie in Other Languages

French Jessé
Hebrew יִשַׁי
Spanish Jesé
Scottish Jessie

Famous People Named Jessie

J

Jesse Owens

Athlete

1913

American track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics

J

Jesse James

Other

1847

American outlaw and folk hero of the Wild West era

J

Jessie Pinkman Fictional

Other

Protagonist of Breaking Bad, the young meth cook played by Aaron Paul

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#1,266
Total SSA Count
156
Cultural Origins
English American Scottish
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Jess

Pairs Well With

Jessie James Jessie Ray Jessie Dean Jessie Lee Jessie Wayne Jessie Dale Jessie Keith

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Jessie is also used as a girl name, ranked #807.

View Jessie as a girl name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Jessie

What does the name Jessie mean?
"God exists, gift" (from Hebrew). "wealthy gift" (from Old English). Jessie as a boys' name derives from Jesse, the Hebrew name meaning 'God exists' or 'gift.' In the Bible, Jesse was the father of King David, making it a name of royal lineage. In Scotland, Jessie developed as an independent given name for both boys and girls, particularly in rural communities. In America, it became associated with the Wild West through Jesse James.
What is the origin of the name Jessie?
Jessie has Hebrew, Old English, English, American, and Scottish origins. In Hebrew, it means "God exists, gift". In Old English, it means "wealthy gift".
Is Jessie a boy or girl name?
Jessie is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1266. As a girl name, it is ranked #807. Jessie is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Jessie?
Jessie is pronounced j-EHS-ee.
How popular is the name Jessie?
Jessie is currently ranked #1266 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jessie?
Common nicknames for Jessie include Jess.
What are good middle names for Jessie?
Popular middle name pairings include Jessie James, Jessie Ray, Jessie Dean, Jessie Lee, Jessie Wayne, Jessie Dale, and Jessie Keith.
What are good sibling names for Jessie?
Names that pair well with Jessie as siblings include Tommy, Dolly, Hank, Rosie, Billie, Ruby, and Clyde.
How many syllables does Jessie have?
Jessie has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jessie a common or rare name?
Jessie is an uncommon name, ranked #1266 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Jessie

Jessie is a boy name with English, American, and Scottish origins . The name means "God exists, gift" in Hebrew .

Is Jessie a boy or girl name? Jessie is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,266 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #807. Jessie is more commonly used as a girl name.

Jessie is currently ranked #1,266 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Jessie has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-EHS-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Jessie include Jess. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Jessie include Jesse, Jessiah, Jess . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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