English
Jack
Jack comes from Middle English Jak, and goes back to Middle Dutch Janke.
- Middle Dutchc. 1150–1500Janke
- Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400Jakke
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500Jak
- Englishearliest quotation c. 1593Jack
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Dutchc. 1150–1500Janke
- Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400Jakke
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500Jak
- Englishearliest quotation c. 1593Jack
Earliest quotation: c. 1593, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]: “Since every Jack became a gentleman there's many a…”
Formed from John + -kin
Biblical Hebrew יוֹחָנָן
…
Latin Iōannēs
Late Latin Iōhannēs
Anglo-Norman Jehan
Middle English John
English John
The story
It can be also used as nickname for Jacob. Though the name was originally a pet form, it has become more of an independent name.
Every English word from Middle Dutch Janke
Today it means
name A unisex given name derived from a pet form of the name John. Occasionally a diminutive of other given names such as Jackson, Jacob, Jacqueline or Jonathan.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle Dutch Janke / Jack