Names  - Origins 

JACOB: From the Hebrew for "the supplanter" or "held by the heel." Jacob was the patriarch of the founders of the twelve tribes of Isael. Relatives: Jakob, Jacobo, Jacoba, Jacobson, Jacobi, Jacobine, Jacobina, Jayme, Jacques, Jacinto, Jascha, Jake, Jack, Jackson, Jeb, Cob, Cobb, Giacobo, Giacomo, Iago, Iacovo, Yago, Yaacov, Yacov, Yakov. Namesakes: son of Abraham, Jackson Browne, Jackson Pollock, Yakov Smirnoff, Max Jacob.

JACQUELINE: A feminine variation of Jacob or James. A timeless name with a hint of a distinguished pedigree. Relatives: Jacquelyn, Jackelyn, Jacklin, Jaklyn, Jaclyn, Jackie, Jackey, Jackee, Jacqui, Jacquetta, Jacquith. Namesakes: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Jacqueline Bisset, Jackie Collins.

JADE: Spanish for "stone of the loins." A semiprecous stone prized in the Orient for its rich green color and as a good-luck charm. Relatives: Ijada, Jada. Namesake: Jade Jagger.

JAMES: An English variation of Jacob and the patron saint of Spain. This ever-popular name is always in good taste. Relatives: Jaymes, Jaime, Jamie, Jaymie, Jaimie, Jamsey, Jameson Jamey, Jan, Jay, Jim, Jimmy, Jimmie, Jimbo, Diego, Giacomo, Seamus, Sheamus, Shamus, Hamish, Santiago. Namesakes: King James, James Joyce, James Stewart, James Dean, Jimmy Carter, Jimmy Cagney, Jimi Hendrix, Diego Rivera.

JANE: Hebrew for "God is gracious" and a feminine version of John. Jane is a true classic. The hefty list of variations belies the simplicity of "plain" Jane. Relatives: Jayne, Jain, Jan, Janet, Janot, Jannette, Janina, Janine, Jean, Jeanne, Jeannie, Jeanine, Jeanie, Jeanette, Jennette, Janice, Janyce, Janis, Janith, Janna, Jina (Sanskrit for "victory"), Joan, Joanna, Jo Ann, Johanna, Joann, Joanne, Jovanna, Joni, Janie, Janey, Gianina, Giovanna, Juana, Juanita, Sinead, Shena, Sheena, Sine, Seonaid. Namesakes: Jane Austen, Jane Fonda, Jane Seymour, Jane Pauley, Jayne Mansfield, Jan Stuart, Joan Crawford, Joan of Arc, Joan Sutherland, Joan Baez, Joanne Woodward, Janis Joplin, Jane Eyre, "Bonnie Jean."

JARED: From the Hebrew for "descending." This name is pronounced "Jaor-ud" -- not "jarred" and it is finding a niche onthe popularity charts alongside Justin and Jason. Relatives: Jarrod, Jarrett. Namesakes: Keigh Jarrett, "Jared Barkley."

JARVIS: From the Old German for "true spear." Relative: Jervis. Namesake: Port Jervis.

JASMINE: From the Persian for a form of flowering olive. The jasmine flower is wonderfully fragrant. Relatives: Jasmin, Yasmin, Yasmine, Jasmina, Jessamine, Jessamyn. Namesakes: Ysmin Khan, Jessamyn West.

JASON: From the Greek for "healer" and possibly an early form of Joshua. Jason was a hero of Greek mythology. It seemed every other male child born in the 1970s was named Jason. Although it has slacked off a bit, this is still wildly popular. Relatives: Jayson, Jase, Jace. Namesakes: Jason Robards, "Jason and the Argonauts."

JASPER: Origin unknown; possibly form the Persian for "treasure." This stone is a type of striped quartz which, when polished, reveals miniature "landscapes." Relatives: Jaspar, Caspar, Casper, Cap, Kaspar, Kasper, Gaspar. Namesakes: Jasper Johns, Caspar Weinberger, Karl Jaspers, "Casper the Friendly Ghost," Jasper National Park.

JAY: Old French for "jay bird." The term "jaywalker" evolved from a slang term for a gullible person new to the big city. If Jay strikes you as too informal for a proper name, use James or Jason on the birth certificate. Relative: Jai. Namesakes: Jay Leno, Jay Rockefeller, "Jay Gatsby."

JEBEDIAH: Hebrew for "beloved by God." A bit of a mouthful, but Jed simplifies things. Relatives: Jedidiah, Jed, Yedidiyah. Namesake: "Jed Clampet."

JEFFREY: From the Old French for "peaceful." It's hard to go wrong with Jeffrey or the variations. Relatives: Jeffrie, Jeffry, Jefferey, Geoffrey, Geoff, Godfrey, Jeff, Jefferson, Jeffers, Joffrey, Jeffries. Namesakes: Jeffrey Banks, Jeff Bridges, Geoffrey Chaucer, Thomas Jefferson, Robinson Jeffers, Joffrey Ballet.

JEMIMA: Hebrew for "dove." If the unfortunate association with pancakes can be overlooked, this is a truly endearing name. Maybe Jemma instead. Relatives: Yemimah, Jemma, Jemmie, Jem, Gemma, Mimi. Namesakes: "Jemima Puddleduck," "Aunt Jemima."

JENNIFER: From the Old Welsh for "white wave," a modern variation of Guinevere. This was the most popular name for girls born in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Lately it has been eclipsed by Jessica. Relatives: Jenifer, Jenyfer, Jenny, Jennie, Jinny, Jenni, Jen, Jennett, Jenet, Jenna. Namesakes: Jennifer Warren, Jennifer Beale, Jenny Lind.

JEREMIAH: From the Hebrew for "exalted of God." A terrific name if you can forget that "Jeremiah was a bullfrog." Relatives: Jeremia, Yirmeyah, Jerry, Jerrie, Jerri, Jeri, Jere.

JEREMY: Hebrew for "chosen by God." Jeremy has become a modern adaptation of the biblical Jeremiah. Relatives: Jeremiah, Jeremias, Geremia, Jerry, Dermot. Namesakes: Jeremy Irons, "Jeremy Fisher," Chad and Jeremy.

JERMYN: Latin for "German." Relatives: German, Germain, Germaine. Namesakes: Germaine Greer, Jermaine Jackson, German Rivera.

JEROLYN: A variation of Geraldine. Jerolyn may also be considred a convenient feminine version of Jerold, Gerald, or Jerome, if you care to pay tribute to some family member with one of those names. Relatives: Jeralyn, Jerelyn, Jerylin, Jeryl.

JEROME: From the Latin for "sacred name." Saint Jerome is often depited as an old man, studying, with a lion at his feet. According to the legend, a lion entered his schoolroom and frightened everyone away. Saint Jerome noticed the lion had a thorn in its paw and removed it. The lion remained thereafter at the scholar's side. Relatives: Jerrome, Gerome, Jerry. Namesakes: Jerome Kern, Jerome Robbins, Jerome K. Jerome.

JESSE: Hebrew for "wealth." A Jesse tree is often depicted in stained glass windows in churches. It is a genealogical chart tracing the descendants of the house of David to Jesus Christ. Reltives: Jessie, Jessy, Jess. Namesakes: father of David, Jesse James, Jesse Owens, Jesse Jackson.

JESSICA: From the Hebrew for "wealthy one." One of the ten most popular girls' names in the 1980s, outpacing Jennifer on the cradle roll. Relatives: Jessyca, Jessika, Jessie, Jessye, Jessy, Jessi, Jessa, Jessalyn. Namesakes: Jessica Tandy, Jessye Norman, Jessica Lange.

JESUS: Heberw for "God will help." A popular first name in Spanish-speaking cultures. Relative: Yesus. Namesakes: Jesus Christ, Jesus Alou.

JETHRO: From the Hebrew for "preeminence." This name has an unfortunate association with the bumpkin on "Beverly Hillbillies." Relative: Jethroe. Namesakes: father-in-law of Moses, Jethro Tull, Sam Jethroe, "Homer and Jethro."

JEWEL: From the Old French, a "priceless gem." If you are undecided about whether to name your child Pearl, Opal, or Jade, why not go to the source? Relatives: Jewell, Jewelle, Bijoux.

JOACHIM: From the Hebrew for "God will judge." Relatives: Joaquin, Akim. Namesakes: Joaquin Andujar, San Joaquin Valley.

JOCELYN: Old English for "just one." Chiefly a boy's name until this century. Too rarely heard these days. Relatives: Jocelyne, Joceline, Joscelyne, Joseceline, Joscelin, Joslyn, Joslin, Josalin, Jossie, Jocie, Justine, Justina, Justa.

JODY: A variation of Joseph. This choice would serve a girl or boy well. Relative: Jodie. Namesakes: Jody Powell, Jodie Foster.

JOEL: Hebrew for "the Lord is God." Joel and the variations work well for either sex. Although popular, Joel has never been overused. Relatives: Yohel, Joelle, Joella, Joellen, Joela, Jolson. Namesakes: Joel Grey, Billy Joel.

JOHN: From the Hebrew for "God's grace." Whereas the expression was once "every Tom, Dick, and Harry," the more likely choice would be "every John, Bill, and Mike," at least in recent decades. The Celtic variations (such as Ian and Sean) have become especially popular in recent years. Relatives: Jon Johnny, Johnnie, Jack Jock, Jocko, Johann, Johan, Jean, Jan, Jenner, Janos, Jovan, Juan, Johannes, Johnson, Jansen, Janson, Jones, Jackson Jenkins, Hanson, Hansen, Jonnel, Hans, Ivan, Ian, Iaian, Eoin, Sean, Shawn, Shane, Seain, Zane. Namesakes: Saint John, John F. Kennedy, John Glenn, Johnny Carson, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Strauss, Jack London, Jackson Pollock, Ivan Lendl, Ian Fleming, Jill St. John, Zane Grey, Jean-Luc Godard.

JOLIE: French for "pretty." The "J" is pronounced as the French do, with the emphasis on the second syllable. Relatives: Jolene, Joline. Namesake: Jolie Gabor.

JONAS: Hebrew for "dove." Jonas connotes wisdom, whereas Jonah will forever be linked with the ride in the belly of a whale. Relatives: Jonah, Yonas, Yonah. Namesake: Jonas Salk

JONATHAN: Hebrew for "God's gift." Jonathan provides a more formal alternative to John and gives you the added nickname possibilities associated with Nathan. Relatives: John, Johnny, Jon, Nathan, Nate, Nat. Namesakes: Jonathan Swift, Jonathan Winters.

JORDAN: Hebrew for "descender." There is the country Jordan and the river Jordan for geography enthusiasts. As a first name, it carries a sense of strength. Relatives: Jordana, Jordanna, Jourdan, Jourdain, Giordano, Jordy, Jordie, Jory. Namesakes: Jordan Marsh, Barbatra Jordan, Louis Jourdan, Jordan River.

JOSEPH: From the Hebrew for "He shall add." Saint Joseph is the patron saint of carpenters. Relatives: Josef, Yoseph, Yosayf, Jose Joe, Joey, Josie, Josiah, Josias, Jessup, Giuseppe, Isoep, Iosef, Seosaidh, Osip, Pepe, Pepito. Namesakes: Saint Joseph, Joseph Heller, Joe DiMaggio, Pal Joey.

JOSEPHINE: From the Hebrew for "He shall increase" and a feminine version of Joseph. The most famous Josephine was Napoleon's beloved empress. * Relatives: Josefine, Josefina, Josepha, Josephe, Josefa, Joette, Josette, Josetta, Josie, Josey, Jo Guiseppina, Pepita, Fifi. Namesakes: Empress Josephine, Josephine Baker, "Jo March."

JOSHUA: Hebrew for "God of salvation." Joshua fought the battle of Jericho with such intensity that the sound of his trumpet flattened the city walls and the sun stood still in the sky. The name peaked in the 1970s but remains a steady contender in the name game. Relatives: Yehosha, Josh, Josiah. Namesakes: Joshua Logan, Josiah Wedgwood, Joshua tree.

JOY: From the Latin for "rejoice." How better to express your delight with your new daughter? Relatives: Joi, Joia, Joice, Joyce, Joyous, Jovita, Joyeuse. Namesakes: Joy Philbin, Joyce Carol Oates, Joyce Brothers, James Joyce, "Joy to the World."

JUDD: From the Hebrew for "praised." One of those choices that rules out nicknames. Relatives: Jud, Juda, Judah, Judas, Jude, Juddson, Yehudah, Yehuda, Yehudi. Namesakes: Judd Hirsch, Judd Nelson, Yehudi Menuhin, The Judds, Jude the Obscure.

JUDITH: From the Hebrew for "praised." The biblical Judith inspired the Jewish army to victory by sneaking into the enemy camp and killing the general. Relatives: Judyth, Judy, Judi, Judie, Jude, Jody, Jodie, Jodi, Judit, Siobhan, Siubhan, Yehudith. Namesakes: Judith Ivey, Judy Garland, Judy Collins, Siobhan McKenna, "Punch and Judy."

JULIA: From the Latin for "youthful" and a feminine version of Julius. A fetching choice, Julia has inspired a number of charming variations. Relatives: Julya, Julie, Juliet, Juliette, Julietta, Juliana, Julina, Julianna, Juline, Joliette, Joletta, Jill, Jillian, Jules, Juli, Gillian, Gilly, Gillie, Giulia, Giulietta, Sile, Sileas. Namesakes: Julia Ward Howe, Julia Child, Julie Harris, Julie Andrews, Julianne Phillips, Juliet Mills, Jill Clayburgh, Jill Ireland, "Juliet Capulet," Raul Julia.

JULIAN: Latin for "of Julius." Saint Julian is the patron saint of innkeepers. Relatives: Julien, Julyan, Julius, Jules, Jule, Julio, Giulo. Namesakes: Julian Lennon, Julian Bond, Julius Caesar, Julio Iglesias, Jules Verne, Jules Feiffer, Julius Irving.

JUNE: From the Latin for "young." A name that recalls a kinder and gentler time. Relatives: Juin, Junia, Juniata, Junette, Junine, Juney, Juno. Namesakes: June Havoc, June Allyson, "June Cleaver."

JUSTIN: From the Old French for "justice." You couldn't do better for a future lawyer, judge, or attorney general. Relatives: Justice, Justis, Justino, Justus, Justinian, Juste, Justine, Justyn. Namesakes: Saint Justine, Justin Morgan, Justine Bateman.

~ THE BEST NAME FOR YOUR BABY: A CREATIVE GUIDE TO PROPER NAMES, by Barbara Binswanger and Lisbeth Mark. Henry Holt and Co., New York, 1990.