http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_(name: '"Jack" originated from the addition of the Middle English diminutive suffix "-kin" (similar to the German "-chen") to the name "Jan," (John) which was itself a contracted version of the name "Jehan." This formed the name "Jankin" which then became "Jackin", and eventually "Jack". The process of back-formation has led many to believe that the name is related to the French "Jacques," owing to phonological similarities, but this seems to be coincidence. Although it may appear at first glance to be derived from the French Jacques—which is cognate with the names James and Jacob—native speakers of English would almost certainly associate the name "Jack" with John and only very rarely with "Jacob" (in which case the usual shortened form Jake is preferred). However, the name "Jack" also has roots in Hebrew, with the meaning "God is Gracious". This would make it a variant of names like "Hans" or "Sean"
4 comments:
Probably related to the fact that the French equivalent name to John is Jacques.
Jacques is pronounced 'zhahk' if I'm not mistaken, which is very close to "Jack."
Yes, yes. But why is it a nickname for John???
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_(name:
'"Jack" originated from the addition of the Middle English diminutive suffix "-kin" (similar to the German "-chen") to the name "Jan," (John) which was itself a contracted version of the name "Jehan." This formed the name "Jankin" which then became "Jackin", and eventually "Jack". The process of back-formation has led many to believe that the name is related to the French "Jacques," owing to phonological similarities, but this seems to be coincidence. Although it may appear at first glance to be derived from the French Jacques—which is cognate with the names James and Jacob—native speakers of English would almost certainly associate the name "Jack" with John and only very rarely with "Jacob" (in which case the usual shortened form Jake is preferred). However, the name "Jack" also has roots in Hebrew, with the meaning "God is Gracious". This would make it a variant of names like "Hans" or "Sean"
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