Jessica Alter
Name meaning, origin and global statistics
Jessica Alter is a name that combines Hebrew origins. The first name Jessica is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. Jessica (originally Iessica, also Jesica, Jesika, Jessicah, Jessika, or Jessikah) is a female given name of English origin. The oldest written record of the name with its current spelling is found as the name of the Shakespearean character Jessica, from the play The Merchant of Venice. The name may have been an anglicisation of the biblical Iscah (from Hebrew: יִסְכָּה, romanized: yiskā́), the name of a daughter of Haran briefly mentioned in the Book of Genesis. Iscah was rendered as "Iesca" (Jeska) in the Matthew Bible version available in Shakespeare's day. The surname Alter: Alter is both a surname and a given name. German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): distinguishing epithet for the older of two bearers of the same personal name. For the Ashkenazim: from the Yiddish personal name Alter, an inflected form of alt (‘old’). This was in part an omen name, expressing the parents’ hope that the child would live a long life; in part an apotropaic name, given to a child born after the death of a sibling, but also said to have sometimes been assumed by someone who was seriously ill. Jessica is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 760K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Jessica reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.
Etymology & Origin
First Name: Jessica
Meaning: God beholds
Hebrew
Jessica (originally Iessica, also Jesica, Jesika, Jessicah, Jessika, or Jessikah) is a female given name of English origin. The oldest written record of the name with its current spelling is found as the name of the Shakespearean character Jessica, from the play The Merchant of Venice. The name may have been an anglicisation of the biblical Iscah (from Hebrew: יִסְכָּה, romanized: yiskā́), the name of a daughter of Haran briefly mentioned in the Book of Genesis. Iscah was rendered as "Iesca" (Jeska) in the Matthew Bible version available in Shakespeare's day.
Surname: Alter
Hebrew
Alter is both a surname and a given name. German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): distinguishing epithet for the older of two bearers of the same personal name. For the Ashkenazim: from the Yiddish personal name Alter, an inflected form of alt (‘old’). This was in part an omen name, expressing the parents’ hope that the child would live a long life; in part an apotropaic name, given to a child born after the death of a sibling, but also said to have sometimes been assumed by someone who was seriously ill.
Geographic Distribution
The first name Jessica is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:
Popularity Over Time
Popularity of the name Jessica by decade, based on birth registration data:
Notable People Named Jessica Alter
- Jessica Alba (philanthropist, 1981)
- Jessica Lange (film actor, 1949)
- Jessica Biel (actor, 1982)
- Jessica Simpson (recording artist, 1980)
People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.
Numerology
According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Jessica Alter:
Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.
Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.
Cooperation and sensitivity. A diplomatic, gentle nature with strong empathy, thriving in partnerships and harmony.
Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the origin of the first name Jessica?
- The first name Jessica originates from Hebrew. Jessica (originally Iessica, also Jesica, Jesika, Jessicah, Jessika, or Jessikah) is a female given name of English origin. The oldest written record of the name with its current spelling is found as the name of the Shakespearean character Jessica, from the play The Merchant of Venice. The name may have been an anglicisation of the biblical Iscah (from Hebrew: יִסְכָּה, romanized: yiskā́), the name of a daughter of Haran briefly mentioned in the Book of Genesis. Iscah was rendered as "Iesca" (Jeska) in the Matthew Bible version available in Shakespeare's day.
- When was Jessica most popular?
- The name Jessica reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
- What is the origin of the surname Alter?
- The surname Alter originates from Hebrew. Alter is both a surname and a given name. German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): distinguishing epithet for the older of two bearers of the same personal name. For the Ashkenazim: from the Yiddish personal name Alter, an inflected form of alt (‘old’). This was in part an omen name, expressing the parents’ hope that the child would live a long life; in part an apotropaic name, given to a child born after the death of a sibling, but also said to have sometimes been assumed by someone who was seriously ill.
- How common is the surname Alter?
- The surname Alter is shared by approximately 4K people worldwide.