The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Jack!

Comments and insights on the name Jack: | Edit

People always comment on my 4 year old Jack and his name. They think it sounds strong, successful, and attractive. I was given examples of Jack Kennedy, Jack Nicholson, (Pirates of Carribean-Jack, Jack from the TV show 24, Jack Abbott from TYoung&Restless). Most of my family and friends think it sounds cute for a young boy, high school star, college graduate, Professional later in life, and just as dominant as a Grandparent. As far as he as a child, his kiddo friends call him Jacky when they're outside playing..I call him everything--JackyLegs(from Kangaroo Jack), and every season has a nickname--JackRabbit at Easter, Jack Frost, Jack-0-Lantern...then of course, all his books....Jack&Jill, Jack and the Beanstalk, and the list goes on. So, all through life, it never sounds awkward--just strong, a leader, and ooozes attractive. ; )

My dad's name was Jack for most of his life until he changed it. There is a quality to the name that, even though it is strong and powerful, it also has a long history of mischeviousness and trickery to it. Some Jacks I have known have walked just this side of the line of lawfulness--like the name "Nick," it has a devilish quality that resounds in myth and fairy tale. My dad struggled for years in his business as Jack, but only gained long term success when he changed his name to John.

The name Jack is #10 on the list of top 100 cool baby boy names in the baby name book "Cool Names" by Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz.

Personal experiences with the name Jack: | Edit

my son Jack is such a "Jack" He's rough and tumblesome. He's funny and mischievious. He's just an all-around guy and "all boy" He suits his name and I am proud of it.

I have a 5.5 year old Jack. Love the name! Strong, simple, yet cool. I call him Jack Jack or Jack A Roni. Fun name for a fun kid.

I know boys named Jack Henry...they go by both names.

Nicknames for Jack: | Edit

Jacky, Jack-Jack, Jack-O-Lantern

Meanings and history of the name Jack: | Edit

everyone forgot Jack Skellington from tim burtons nightmare before christmas

Jack is short for John. The nickname became so popularized it became a name in its own right.

Famous real-life people named Jack: | Edit

Jack Barakat, lead guitarist of the band All Time Low
Jack Paar, American comedian, host of the Tonight Show before Johnny Carson
Jack Nicholson, American movie actor
John "Jack" Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the U.S.
Jack Kirby, comic book artist (co-creator of Capt America, the Fantastic Four)

Jack in song, story & screen: | Edit

"Captain Jack Sparrow", character in Disney's Pirates of the Carribean movies
"Captain Jack Harkness", character in the BBC's Doctor Who and its spinoff Torchwood
"Captain Jack", song by Billy Joel
"Jack Straw," song by Grateful Dead
"Jack the Ripper", serial killer in 19th century London, subject of many films, books, tv documentaries, and plays
Jack Dawson, male lead played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the film "Titanic"
"Jack and Jill," "Jack Sprat," Mother Goose rhymes
Jack Burnett, the cousin and best friend of Aaron Burnett,character in the book series "The Medallion of Franzek" by the argentine writer Canela Lopez Fassón
Jack Dawkins, aka The Artful Dodger in Dickens' Oliver Twist
Jack Bauer, main character on "24" played by Kiefer Sutherland
Jack Shephard, main character on "Lost" played by Matthew Fox
"Little Jack Horner," nursery rhyme
Jack and the Beanstalk," fairy tale
"Jack be Nimble," nursery rhyme
Jack McFarland, from the TV show "Will & Grace"
Jack Twist, from the film "Brokeback Mountain"
Jack Sawyer, from the book "The Talisman" by Stephen King
Jack Bristow, from the TV show "Alias"
Jack skellington from the nightmare before christmas
Jack O'Neill from Stargate: SG-1, played by Richard Dean Anderson
Jack Abbott- Character on Young and the Restless
Jack Jackson - hero from the novel "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett
Jack(Oggy and The cockroaches) , Oggy's Short-tempered, Violent & Arrogant cousin
Jack(Jackson) Swift- Warrior and Main Character of Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
Jack Hotchner- The Son of Aaron 'Hotch' Hotchner on Criminal Minds
Jack Hodgins - A character on the hit FOX tv show Bones