Jacqueline is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the French word "jacque," which means "to seize" or "grab hold of." The name Jacqueline is also associated with the French male given name Jacques, which has the same meaning.
The name Jacqueline first gained popularity in France during the Middle Ages. It was often used as a diminutive form of the name Jacquette, which was itself derived from the name Jacque. Over time, however, Jacqueline became established as an independent given name in its own right.
One of the most notable figures to bear the name Jacqueline was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929-1994), the wife of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and later married to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is remembered for her style, grace, and elegance, as well as her prominent role in American political history.
Today, Jacqueline remains a popular given name throughout much of Europe and North America. It has also been used as a surname over the centuries. Despite its historical associations with France, Jacqueline is now considered a global name, beloved by parents around the world who appreciate its classic yet distinctive sound.
The statistics provided show the annual number of babies named Jacqueline born in the United States from 1922 to 2011. During this period, there was a significant fluctuation in the popularity of the name Jacqueline.
In the early years, the name's popularity was relatively low, with only five births recorded each year between 1922 and 1935. However, there was a notable increase starting from 1937, reaching a peak of 73 births in 1964. This period marked the height of Jacqueline's popularity as a baby girl's name.
After the 1960s, the name's popularity began to decline steadily. Between 1965 and 2000, the number of annual births named Jacqueline ranged from a low of five in certain years to a peak of 17 in 1995. However, even during this period, the name remained relatively popular compared to earlier decades.
In the most recent years recorded (2001-2011), there was a further decline in popularity, with fewer than ten births named Jacqueline each year. The lowest point reached was five births in both 2001 and 2011.
Overall, these statistics illustrate that while Jacqueline was once a popular baby girl's name in the United States, its popularity has since declined significantly. However, even at its lowest points, there were still some babies named Jacqueline each year.