Jess
Clipping of Jesse, Jessica, or Jessamy.
Every Jess since 1880 — 25,550 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Jess
Jess is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,299 in 2025 with 18 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 25,550 American babies have been named Jess. Its peak came in 1915, when 584 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Jess stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Jess year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #9,747 | 18 | #5,299 |
| 2024 | 7 | #12,732 | 22 | #4,629 |
| 2023 | 10 | #9,918 | 25 | #4,270 |
| 2022 | 8 | #11,662 | 17 | #5,526 |
| 2021 | 6 | #14,252 | 25 | #4,164 |
| 2020 | 5 | #16,197 | 22 | #4,483 |
| 2019 | 7 | #13,040 | 23 | #4,403 |
| 2018 | — | — | 33 | #3,411 |
| 2017 | 5 | #17,007 | 22 | #4,529 |
| 2016 | — | — | 30 | #3,638 |
| 2015 | — | — | 35 | #3,271 |
| 2014 | 5 | #17,715 | 32 | #3,416 |
| 2013 | 7 | #13,816 | 28 | #3,700 |
| 2012 | — | — | 33 | #3,330 |
| 2011 | 5 | #18,013 | 37 | #3,078 |
| 2010 | — | — | 32 | #3,412 |
| 2009 | — | — | 45 | #2,725 |
| 2008 | 10 | #11,160 | 55 | #2,361 |
| 2007 | 15 | #8,287 | 66 | #2,078 |
| 2006 | 10 | #10,967 | 60 | #2,159 |
| 2005 | 8 | #12,343 | 79 | #1,698 |
| 2004 | 9 | #11,109 | 82 | #1,599 |
| 2003 | 6 | #14,666 | 65 | #1,826 |
| 2002 | 13 | #8,023 | 70 | #1,688 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9,697 | 82 | #1,488 |
| 2000 | 12 | #8,249 | 77 | #1,559 |
| 1995 | 6 | #12,429 | 136 | #954 |
| 1990 | 9 | #8,794 | 214 | #694 |
| 1985 | 8 | #7,868 | 262 | #542 |
| 1980 | — | — | 292 | #496 |
| 1975 | — | — | 283 | #475 |
| 1970 | — | — | 190 | #590 |
| 1965 | 5 | #6,931 | 183 | #565 |
| 1960 | — | — | 289 | #467 |
| 1955 | — | — | 267 | #455 |
| 1950 | — | — | 193 | #482 |
| 1945 | — | — | 167 | #461 |
| 1940 | — | — | 170 | #445 |
| 1935 | — | — | 167 | #438 |
| 1930 | — | — | 207 | #406 |
| 1925 | 5 | #5,366 | 269 | #360 |
| 1920 | 9 | #3,459 | 333 | #317 |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,609 | 577 | #193 |
| 1910 | — | — | 103 | #231 |
| 1905 | — | — | 85 | #208 |
| 1900 | 6 | #1,828 | 128 | #164 |
| 1895 | — | — | 102 | #153 |
| 1890 | 5 | #1,419 | 114 | #128 |
| 1885 | 5 | #1,118 | 119 | #115 |
| 1880 | — | — | 103 | #128 |
Famous people named Jess
- Jesús Franco Film director · 1930–2013
- Jesús María Pereda Soccer player · 1938–2011
- Jesús Gil Politician · 1933–2004
- Jesús Garay Soccer player · 1930–1995
- Jesús Rafael Soto Painter · 1923–2005
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jess mean?
Clipping of Jesse, Jessica, or Jessamy.
How popular is the name Jess in 2025?
Jess ranked #5,299 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 18 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Jess?
25,550 babies have been named Jess in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Jess most popular?
Jess peaked in 1915, when 584 newborns received the name.
Is Jess a boy or girl name?
Jess is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Jess rising or falling?
Jess is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Jess?
Well-known people named Jess include Jesús Franco (film director), Jesús María Pereda (soccer player), Jesús Gil (politician).