Meaning & History
Yéssica is a Spanish form of Jessica, a name famously coined by William Shakespeare for his play The Merchant of Venice (1596). In the play, Jessica is the daughter of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Shakespeare likely based the name on the biblical Iscah (spelled Jescha in early English translations), a figure mentioned in Genesis 11:29. The original Hebrew form, Yiskah, is rendered as Yiska in some transcriptions.
Notable Bearers
Yéssica and its variants are popular in Spanish-speaking countries and among Latino communities. Notable bearers include Mexican actress Yéssica Borro (born 1972) and Chilean footballer Yéssica Huentiman. While not as widely used as the standard Jéssica (or its alternate spelling Jésica), Yéssica remains a recognizable Hispanic variant.
Related Forms
Yéssica is one of several Spanish adaptations of Jessica, including Yésica, Jéssica, and Jésica. Across other languages, the name appears as Xhesika in Albanian, Jesika in Czech, and the original Hebrew Iscah. The name enjoyed global popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in English-speaking regions.
- Meaning: Spanish form of Jessica, a Shakespearean name
- Origin: Coined by William Shakespeare; ultimately derived from Biblical Iscah
- Type: Given name
- Usage regions: Spanish-speaking countries