NameChart

Jack

Boy name

Jack has been given to 759,677 babies in the U.S. since 1880. It peaked in 1927 and currently ranks #15 for boys (2025).

Meaning & origin /ˈd͡ʒæk/

From Middle English Jackin, Jankyn, a popular pet form of John; rarely also an anglicized form of French Jacques (equivalent of Jacob and James). It can be also used as nickname for Jacob. Though the name was originally a pet form, it has become more of an independent name. Equivalent to John + -kin, Jake or Jacques. See also Middle French Hennequin, Jannequin and Middle Dutch Janneken.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Popularity over time births per year, 1880–2025

03.201k6.401k9.602k12.802k 18801900192019401960198020002020 Girls Boys
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.

Total babies

759,677

Peak year

1927 (12,884 babies)

Rank in 2025

#15 for boys

First recorded

1880

10-year trend

▲ +3%

Gender split

0% girls / 100% boys

Famous people named Jack

Jack London

American author, journalist and social activist (1876–1916)

Jack Kerouac

American writer (1922–1969)

Jack Ma

Chinese businessman

Jack Lemmon

American actor (1925–2001)

Notability data from Wikidata (CC0).

Names with a similar vibe

Same primary gender, peaked around the same years, and roughly as common as Jack.

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