I’ve become used to not being the only Jack around. In addition to my grandpa, my great-grandfather is also Jack. And there’s Jacks everywhere in my classes. In fact, according to the U.S. Social Security Baby Name Database, my name was the 34th most popular name in 2005. It has increased in popularity starting in 2018, when it was the 28th most popular boy name, to the most recent in 2022, when it was the 15th most common boy name. When my grandpa, who was born in the 1930s, shared much the same fate. At that time, Jack was the 18th most popular boy name (Popular Baby Names). 

        Growing up, it was always tradition to visit my dad’s side of the family, over the fourth of July, where I was always referred to as “Little Jack.” However, all of the grandchildren refer to him as Pop. I am glad that I am named after him, as I have had so many good memories of being with my grandpa, and I would not want to be named after anyone else.

        Further, according to the article, “What does the Name Jack Mean?,” the name Jack comes from the name John which goes back to medieval England. It is a name that has Celtic origins and means “God is Gracious” (Coppa). The origin of this name did not surprise me because I knew that my grandfather has German heritage. My last name, Miller, was originally Mueller, which is a German last name. I have never known the meaning of my name until I researched it, but the meaning is not why I am named Jack. There have been many famous athletes and singers that are named Jack. For example, Jack Nicklaus, a famous golfer who grew up in Upper Arlington, Ohio, which is the same town where my grandfather, Joseph Scott, has lived for my entire life. However, I was not named after him. In addition, there are many fictional characters named Jack. My favorite characters include Jack Sparrow, Jack in the box, and Jack in the bean stock. These are all characters that I have been for Halloween during my childhood. I have always been proud of my name. I am ready to recite my name on any occasion. 

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Works Cited

Coppa, Christine. “What Does the Name Jack Mean?” Verywell Family, 8 Aug. 2021, www.verywellfamily.com/jack-name-meaning-origin-popularity-5120953#:~:text=1%20Origin%3A%20English%202%20Gender%3A%20Jack%20is%20traditionally. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.

“Popular Baby Names.” Ssa.gov, 2018, 

www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.