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Baby names

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Original poster

Alternatives to Jessica

36 replies

Santatizer · 20/02/2021 21:06

So I like the shortenings Jess and Jessie but am not keen on Jessica. I don't like the "ica" ending. OH likes Jessica and the short versions - can anyone think of any alternatives? I have seen Jessamy and Jessamine and don't love either...

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Edenember · 21/02/2021 22:10

Jessa was the most obvious one to come to mind.

KirstenBlest · 21/02/2021 14:56

Jessamy or Jessamine

ILoveStickers · 21/02/2021 13:55

Jessie has been used as a full name for longer than Jessica, which became popular in the 20th century.

Traditionally a Scottish nickname for Jean and Jane and other J names, I think.

But Jessie on its own is fine. In 1904, Jessie was #11 in Scotland and #34 in England/Wales. Jessica doesn't appear in the top 200 at all.

amallierory · 21/02/2021 09:16

If you did decide to put Jess/Jessie on the birth certificate, most people would still assume her full name is Jessica, and it's likely she'd get called it. Jessamine and Jessalyn are the only alternatives I can think of that really work, as I'm pretty sure most of the other names suggested on here are just more diminutives of Jessica.

What is it specifically you like about Jess/Jessie? The "J" beginning? The "ss" sound in the middle?

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 21/02/2021 06:39

Jessa is by far the best Jess name imo!

Missingthesea · 20/02/2021 22:52

Jessamy.

partyatthepalace · 20/02/2021 22:52

@Syrrup

Jessie is a given name in its own right, unrelated to Jessica. It's Celtic.
Jessie is not ‘Celtic’, it’s just traditionally used in Scotland as a nn for Jean, Janet - any name like that. Jessie and Jessa get used as names in their own right like Katie and Kate - but if you don’t like nns as full names then you aren’t going to like them - they are just diminutives of Jessica.

I know what you mean about not loving Jessica, Jessamine or Jessenia OP, but I think they are all fine if you really just want a grown up sounding full name, and Jessie for everyday.

Thedogscollar · 20/02/2021 22:47

What about Joss?

AubergineDream · 20/02/2021 22:38

Jasmin/Jasminda nn Jazz/Jazzy
Francesca/Chesca
Yasmin nn Yaz/Yazzy

If it's the SS/ZZ sound then Kizzy, Lizzy, Izzy etc.

Retrievemysanity · 20/02/2021 22:31

I have a Jessica, absolutely love the name but she goes by Jess in the main. I think shortened names on BC’s are quite common now, DD2 has a shortened name on her BC because I love it but not keen on the traditional ‘full’ name.

weegiemum · 20/02/2021 22:27

My dd2 has Jessie as a middle name, it was my Gran's name, not a non for anything. Her family called her Jess.

mm40 · 20/02/2021 22:09

I have a delightful SIL called Jessica, we all call her JJ.

Original poster
Santatizer · 20/02/2021 21:55

Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 20/02/2021 21:49

A shame you don't like Jessamine (I love it - always sounds so elegant to me). I second pp suggestion of pretty Jessenia though - I think it's more popular in Hispanic/Latin American countries (where it tends to be pronounced Yeh -SEN -ee -ah) but I think it's still very useable here, even when pronounced with a "Jeh" sound.

TheVanguardSix · 20/02/2021 21:46

Justina/Justine
Jemima
Genevieve

I love the name Jessica, fwiw.

Francesca can be shortened to Cheska.

BallsToYouSue · 20/02/2021 21:46

I love Francesca with nn Chessie.

Or Jessie.

cafedesreves · 20/02/2021 21:43

I was at school with a Jessamine

wanderedlonelyasacloud · 20/02/2021 21:40

Yep another vote for Jessa which is a name in its own right

GlennRheeismyfavourite · 20/02/2021 21:39

Francesca with Chessie or Chess as a shortening?

LittleTiger007 · 20/02/2021 21:37

Jessie or Jessa are both good stand alone names

Bluesername · 20/02/2021 21:33

Francesca?

Syrrup · 20/02/2021 21:27

Jessie is a given name in its own right, unrelated to Jessica. It's Celtic.

dancemom · 20/02/2021 21:25

Definitely Jessa

TaraR2020 · 20/02/2021 21:23

Jessmina/ Jessimine
Jessiqua
Jessenia
Jessamy

ZednotZee · 20/02/2021 21:15

Jocasta? Although admittedly this lends itself more to Cassie as a nn