Jessica

Jessica is an Early Modern English name coined by William Shakespeare for a character in his 1596 play The Merchant of Venice, where she appears as the daughter of Shylock. Shakespeare likely derived it from the Hebrew name Iscah, which appears in the Book of Genesis and carries the meaning to behold or to see. The name remained uncommon for centuries before surging in popularity across English-speaking countries during the late twentieth century, becoming one of the most frequently given names for girls in the United States and United Kingdom during the 1980s and 1990s. Related forms include Jessika, and the short forms Jess and Jessie are often used independently.