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Jessamine, Jessamyn, Jessimond

jessamine plant baby name 

Jessamine (JESS-ah-meen, JESS-uh-min), thankfully, has been getting attention in recent years. I credit that to baby naming websites that have message boards, but who knows. Jessamine is the archaic French, medieval English, and Persian for "jasmine,” although there is a strong case that she comes from Ismenia, Isemene, which is a Greek name meaning “knowledge.” Variants that became obsolete included Jessamy, from Jessamie, Jessima, Jacamine, and Jessamyn. Jesmond is likely related, and she comes with her own variants, including Jessimond, Ghismond, Ghismonda, and Jesmaine.

Jessamyn is probably the most used variant. Jessamyn West was an American Quaker and writer best known for The Friendly Persuasion in 1945. Another Jessamyn West is a librarian and blogger. Like Clary, she's also a character in a Cassandra Clare series which is rapidly gaining popularity. Nicknames can range from Jessica's "Jessie" or "Jess," to Jasmine's "Minnie," or "Jessa," or "Mina." The jasmine plant, which is highly prized, has a remarkably nice fragrance and cute star-shaped flowers.

In 2011 there were only 8 girls named Jessamine, 7 named Jessamyn, and none named Jessamy. In 2010 there were only 6 girls named Jessamine. Fast forward to 2017 and Jessamine was used 14 times, Jessamyn 10 times, and all the other options were ignored. Jesmond, Jessimond, Jacamine, Ghismonda and Jessamie have never been used. Please, someone, snatch this up and use it!!
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Comments

  1. Waltzing More Than MatildaDecember 17, 2012 at 4:56 PM

    Gorgeous name, although my favourite is Jessamy.

    I can't believe this name isn't used more often, especially considering the fame of Jessamyn West the writer, whose short stories are nearly always included in those "100 Great Stories" type compilations. In fact, I think that's where I first saw the name and just loved it (aged around 8 or so).

    ReplyDelete
  2. CristinaDecember 17, 2012 at 10:22 PM

    Jessamine, Jessamyn and Jessamy do sound like names a little girl would just LOVE to have, but it's also very classy, and I think it would age very well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 18, 2013 at 11:52 PM

    My daughter, who is 4, is named Jessamy. I still absolutely love it. Quirky, but not outrageous, and sweet, just like her!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2014 at 3:19 AM

    FYI The lead character in New Girl is Jessica. One of the characters in the HBO series Girls is named Jessamine (nicknamed Jessa)

    ReplyDelete

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