The first name Jacques
A boy’s name from French.
Pronounced /ʒæk/ 1 syllable Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
French origin
A male given name from French [in turn from Latin, in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Biblical Hebrew], feminine equivalent Jacqueline, equivalent to English Jacob.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 47 boys were named Jacques, making it the 735th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2023, with 97 births (#409).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Jacques with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Jacques at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 80 boys born in the United States were named Jacques, the 1,938th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1969, when 170 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Nicknames and spellings
Nicknames for Jacques
- Jackie
- Jaq
Famous people named Jacques
557 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Jacques CartierBreton maritime explorer of North America (1491–1557)
- Jacques OffenbachGerman-born French composer (1819–1880)
- Jacques DerridaFrench philosopher (1930–2004)
- Jacques LacanFrench psychoanalyst and writer (1901–1981)
- Jacques BrelBelgian singer (1929–1978)
- Jacques PrévertFrench poet and screenwriter (1900-1977)
- Jacques MonodFrench biologist and biochemist, Nobel laureate (1910-1976)
- Jacques DelorsFrench economist and politician (1925–2023)
- Jacques VilleneuveCanadian racecar driver (born 1971)
- Anne Robert Jacques TurgotFrench economist and statesman (1727–1781)
- Jacques Bénigne BossuetFrench bishop and theologian (1627-1704)
- Jacques TatiFrench filmmaker (1907-1982)
More French boys’ names
Questions
- What is the origin of the name Jacques?
- Jacques comes from French.
- How popular is the name Jacques?
- In 2025, 47 boys born in England and Wales were named Jacques, ranking 735th. Its peak was 2023, with 97 births.
- What are nicknames for Jacques?
- Common nicknames for Jacques include Jackie, Jaq.
- Is Jacques a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 98% of the 9,977 US babies named Jacques since 1880 were boys.
- When was Jacques most popular?
- 1969 in the United States, when 170 babies were named Jacques, its highest rank at 601st.
- How do you pronounce Jacques?
- Jacques is /ʒæk/, one syllable.
- Is Jacques also a surname?
- Yes. Jacques is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.