Jaclyn

Meaning of Jaclyn

Jaclyn is a streamlined Anglo-American spin on the French Jacqueline, itself the feminine form of Jacques and ultimately linked to the Hebrew Yaʿaqov, “supplanter” or “one who follows.” The clipped two-syllable shape—JAK-lin—first registered on U.S. birth records during the 1940s, gathered momentum with post-war prosperity, and peaked in the power-shoulder 1980s, when yearly totals crossed the two-thousand mark. Since then, popularity has ebbed to a few dozen births a year, yet the name still holds a modest place inside the national Top 1000, a statistical hint that Jaclyn resists complete obscurity. Pop-culture touchpoints reinforce its staying power: actress Jaclyn Smith added prime-time polish in “Charlie’s Angels,” while beauty-industry figure Jaclyn Hill keeps the spelling current on social media feeds. Parents considering Jaclyn often cite its balance—feminine without frills, familiar yet unmistakable, classic lineage trimmed to modern efficiency. For those who admire the elegance of Jacqueline but prefer a syllable saved and a bit less lace, Jaclyn offers a crisp, no-nonsense alternative.