Jessi

Meaning of Jessi

Jessi, pronounced JES-ee, originated as a pared-down nickname for Jessica and Jessie—the former tracing back to the Hebrew name Yiskāh (“to behold”) and the latter to the Scottish pet form of Janet. Over time the short form shrugged off its diminutive status and began appearing on birth certificates in its own right, particularly in the late 1970s and early ’80s, when its U.S. popularity quietly brushed the lower half of the Top 1000 before beginning a gentle, decades-long slide. This trajectory leaves today’s Jessi both recognizable and uncommon, a combination that appeals to parents who like the sound of “classic with breathing room.” Cultural references range from outlaw-country singer Jessi Colter to a roster of television characters, lending the name a low-key, spirited edge without the baggage of a single, defining icon. Altogether, Jessi feels brisk, approachable, and slightly off the main highway—proof that a few dropped letters can create just enough elbow room for individual style.