Origin of the name Jack

Derived from Jackin (earlier Jankin), a medieval diminutive of John. It is often regarded as an independent name. During the Middle Ages it was very common, and it became a slang word meaning "man". It was frequently used in fairy tales and nursery rhymes, such as 'Jack and the Beanstalk', 'Little Jack Horner', and 'Jack Sprat'. American writers Jack London (1876-1916) and Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) were two famous bearers of this name. It is also borne by American actor Jack Nicholson (1937-).

Name equivalents in different languages

cz: Honza, Honzicek, Honzik, Ivan, Ivanek, Jan, Janda
de: Hanke, Hannecke, Hannes, Hans, Hansel, Hansi, Hasse
en: Evan, Hank, Hans, Ian, Ivan, Jack, Jackson
fr: Jean, Jeannot, Yanick, Yann, Yannic, Yannick
hu: Hans, Ivan, Jancsi, Jani, Janika, Janos, Jansi
it: Giambattisto, Giampaolo, Giampiero, Giancarlo, Gianfranco, Gianluco, Gianluigi
li: Johanas, Jonas
pl: Hanko, Hanusz, Hanys, Iwan, Jach, Jan, Janczy
ru: Ioann, Ivan, Ivanko, Ivashechka, Vanechka, Vanek, Vanka
sk: Ivan, Ivanko, Ivko, Jan, Janicko, Janik, Janko