Jessenia

Meaning of Jessenia

Jessenia is a feminine given name of Hispanic origin that is widely regarded as a modern elaboration of Yesenia, a designation popularized in mid-20th-century Latin American literature and media and etymologically traced either to the Arabic yasamin (jasmine) or the Greek kassia (cinnamon), both historically associated with floral and spice motifs. In Spanish the name is articulated as heh-SEH-nyah (/xeˈsenja/), while in English it is typically pronounced jeh-SEN-ee-uh (/dʒɛsˈiːniə/), reflecting phonological adjustments to Anglophone norms. Historically linked to attributes of grace and resilience and recurrently borne by protagonists in literary and performing-arts contexts, Jessenia has maintained cultural resonance across Hispanic and Anglo-American communities. According to United States Social Security Administration data, the name entered the top 1,000 female names in 1971 at rank 761, ascended to a peak position of 662 in 1994, and most recently accounted for 21 occurrences, ranking 929 in 2024, a pattern that demonstrates its sustained yet moderate prevalence over more than five decades.

Pronunciation

Spanish

• Pronunced as heh-SEH-nyah (/xeˈsenja/)

English

• Pronunced as jeh-SEN-ee-uh (/dʒɛsˈiːniə/)

• Jessalyn
• Jessamine