A feminine given name, popularized by Shakespeare's character in 'The Merchant of Venice.'
Possibly created by Shakespeare from the biblical name 'Iscah' or from Hebrew 'Yiskah' meaning 'to behold.' First recorded use was in Shakespeare's 1596 play, making it one of the few names invented by a literary figure.
Jessica was virtually unknown before Shakespeare used it, but it became one of the most popular names in the English-speaking world by the 20th century. Shakespeare may have been inspired by the biblical Iscah, Abraham's niece.
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