Jack
Peaked at #11 nationally in 2021, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Jack has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Jack started in medieval England as a pet form of John, likely via the Old French "Jankin," and eventually became a fully independent name in its own right. It's long been the default "everyman" name in English folklore and fairy tales.
Notable people & culture
Jack peaked at #11 in 2021 as part of a broader revival of short, traditional boys' names; it's the hero of "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Jack and Jill," and actor Jack Nicholson is among its most recognizable modern bearers.
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Jack — Girls (United States)
StablePeak rank
#723
in 1928
Current rank
#11479
in 2024
Years tracked
125
1889–2024
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1889, Jack reached its peak popularity for girls in 1928, ranking #723 nationally with 96 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #11347 (2014) to #11479 (2024) — a 1% drop.
As of 2024, Jack ranks #11479 nationally for girls, with 8 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #11,479 | 8 |
| 2023 | #8,225 | 13 |
| 2022 | #11,613 | 8 |
| 2021 | #7,405 | 15 |
| 2020 | #7,713 | 14 |
| 2019 | #7,892 | 14 |
| 2018 | #11,847 | 8 |
| 2017 | #11,054 | 9 |
Jack — Boys (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#11
in 2021
Current rank
#15
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1880, Jack reached its peak popularity for boys in 2021, ranking #11 nationally with 9,563 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #41 (2014) to #15 (2024) — a 63% improvement.
As of 2024, Jack ranks #15 nationally for boys, with 8,434 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #15 | 8,434 |
| 2023 | #14 | 8,710 |
| 2022 | #15 | 8,930 |
| 2021 | #11 | 9,563 |
| 2020 | #21 | 8,942 |
| 2019 | #19 | 9,402 |
| 2018 | #28 | 8,892 |
| 2017 | #35 | 8,477 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Jack most popular?
Jack was most popular in 2021, when it ranked #11 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Jack becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently stable; for boys, it's currently rising, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Jack?
At least 750,859 babies have been recorded with the name Jack in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Jack? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.