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Jack < middle english Jack < 1. (?) anglo-french Jake, Jaikes < old french Jacques < a diminutive of late latin Iacobus < ancient greek Ιάκωβος | Iakōbos < hebrew Ya’aqobh (= one that takes by the heel, a supplanter) a derivative of ‘aqebh (= heel) or 2. John < Jan / Jon < old french Jan / Jean / Jehan < medieval latin Johannes < late latin Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious) < Yah / Yoh, a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan (= he was gracious).

jack < middle english jakke (= a mechanical device) < Jack (q.v.) with a special meaning as “common fellow or worker” (cf. jimmy).

jackal < french chacal < jackal < turkish çakal < persian shaghal < sanskrit srgala-s (= the howler).

jacket < middle english jacket < old french jaquet (= short coat with sleeves), a diminutive of jaque (= a kind of tunic) < (?) 1. Jacque (see Jack, jack) [with a special meaning as a “peasant”] or 2. jaque [de mailles] (= coat [of mail], tight-fitting coat) < spanish jaco < arabic shakk (= breastplate).

jackpot < Jack [in the card-playing] + pot (< old english pott (= vessel)) [in reference to the stake of money that begins when no player has a pair of Jacks or a better card].

Jacob < middle english Jacob < late latin Iacobus < ancient greek Ιάκωβος | Iakōbos < hebrew Ya’aqobh (= one that takes by the heel, a supplanter) a derivative of ‘aqebh (= heel).

jacuzzi < Jacuzzi [Bros. Inc.], an American company [who made this type of whirlpool bath (1961)].

jaguar < portuguese jaguar < tupi jaguara.

jail < middle english jail (= cage, prison) < middle english jaile < old french jaiole (= cage, prison) < medieval latin gabiola (= cage) < late latin caveola < a diminutive of latin cavea (= cage, stall, cavity).

Jake < a diminutive of middle english Jacob < late latin Iacobus < ancient greek Ιάκωβος | Iakōbos < hebrew Ya’aqobh (= one that takes by the heel, a supplanter) a derivative of ‘aqebh (= heel).

jam (= fruit preserve) < jam (= to press tightly) < (?) middle english cham (= to bite upon something).

Jamaica < arawakan xaymaca (= rich in springs).

James < middle english James < late latin Jacomus < latin Jacobus < ancient greek Ιάκωβος | Iakōbos < hebrew Ya’aqobh (= one that takes by the heel, a supplanter) < ‘aqebh (= heel).

Jane < french Jeanne < old french Jehane < medieval latin Johanna, female of Johannes < late latin Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious) < Yah / Yoh, a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan (= he was gracious).

January < middle english Ieneuer < old french Genever / Jenvier < latin Januarius [mensis] (= [month] of Janus) < Janus, a Roman god, having two faces, one in front and the other in back [to whom this month was sacred as the beginning of the year according to later Roman calendar].

Japan < portuguese Japao / dutch Japan < malay Japang < chinese jih pun (= sunrise) < jih (= sun) + pun (= origin).

jar < middle english jar < (?) 1. old french jarre (= liquid measure) or 2. medieval latin / spanish jarra < arabic jarrah < persian jarrah (= jar).

jardiniere < french jardinière (= flower pot) < jardinière, female of jardinier (= of the garden) < jardin (= garden, orchard) < vulgar latin *gardinus [hortus] (= enclosed [kitchen garden]) < frankish *gardo < proto-germanic *gardan- (= enclose).

jargon < middle english jargon (= unintelligible talk) < old french jargon (= a chattering) < echoic origin.

jasmine < french jasmin < arabic yas(a)min < persian yasmin.

Jason < 1. latin Jason < ancient greek Ιάσων | Iassōn < ιάομαι | iaomae [inf. ιάσθαι | iasthae] (= to heal) or 2. hebrew Yehoshua (= God is salvation).

Jasper < Caspar / Gaspar, one of the Three Kings < (?) persian origin.

jasper < middle english jasper < anglo-french jaspre / old french jaspre < jaspe < latin iaspis < ancient greek ίασπις | iaspis (= jasper) < semitic origin.

Java < sanskrit Yavadvipa < yava (= barley) + dvipa (= island).

javelin < middle english javelin < old french javeline / old provençal javelina, a female diminutive of old french javelot (= a spear) < (?) celtic *gablakko- < I.E. *ghabholo- (= fork, branch).

jaw < middle english jowe / joue (= the bones of the mouth) < (?) old french joue (= cheek) < jode < gallo-roman *gauta or gaulish *gabata.

jazz < american english jazz [1915] < (?) jasm (= energy, vitality) < (?) gism (= energy, spirit).

jealous < middle english jelus < gelus < old french jalos / gelos (= keen, zealous, jealous) < late latin zelosus < zelus (= zeal) < ancient greek ζήλος | zēlos (= emulation, zeal).

jean < middle english Geayne < a shortening of Gene [fustian] < middle french jean [fustian] (= [fustian] of Genoa) < old french Jannes (= Genoa) < latin Genava / Geneva / Genua < (?) 1. I.E. *gen- (= bend) [as a reference to its situation] or 2. janua (= gate) or 3. Janus, a Roman god, having two faces (cf. January).

Jean < french Jean < Jeanne < old french Jehane < medieval latin Johanna, female of Johannes < late latin Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious) < Yah / Yoh, a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan (= he was gracious).

jeep < american english jeep < an acronym from G. P. [military slang] < an abbreviation of General Purpose [car] [by influence of the comic strip “Eugene the Jeep” (1936)].

Jeffrey < old french Je(u)froi < Geuffroi < medieval latin Gaufridus < old high german gewi (= district) + fridu (= peace).

Jehovah < hebrew Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) < hawah (= the one who is, the existing) < hayah (= he was) [as transliteration of hebrew Tetragrammaton YHWH (the full name being too sacred for utterance), taken as the principal and personal name of God].

jelly < middle english gelee / gelle / gelly < old french gelee (= jelly, frost) < gelee, female past participle of geler (= to freeze) < latin gelo [inf. gelare] (= to freeze, congeal).

Jemmy < middle english James < late latin Jacomus < latin Jacobus < ancient greek Ιάκωβος | Iakōbos < hebrew Ya’aqobh (= one that takes by the heel, a supplanter) < ‘aqebh (= heel).

Jennifer < welsh Gwenhwyvar < gwen (= fair, white) + (g)wyf (= smooth, yielding).

Jenny < Jane / Janey /Janet < 1. a shortening of Jennifer (q.v.) or 2. female of Jack (q.v.).

jeopardy < middle english jupartie / ioparde (= danger, risk) < old french jeu parti (= lost game, game with even chances) < jeu (= game) (< latin jocus (= jest)) + parti, past participle of partir (= separate) (< latin partio [inf. partire] (= share, divide) < pars [gen. partis] (= part, piece)).

Jeremy < Jeremiah < late latin Jeremias < ancient greek Ιερεμίας | Ieremias < hebrew 1. Yirmeyah (= may Jehovah exalt) or 2. Yirmeyahu (= the Lord casts, the Lord founds).

Jericho < ancient greek Ιεριχώ | Ierichō < hebrew Yerihho < yareakh (= moon, month).

Jerome < french Jérome < late latin Hieronymus < ancient greek ‘Ιερώνυμος | hIerōnymos (= holy name) < ‘ιερός | hieros (= holy) + όνυμα | onyma (= name).

Jerry < Jeremy < Jeremiah < late latin Jeremias < ancient greek Ιερεμίας | Ieremias < hebrew 1. Yirmeyah (= may Jehovah exalt) or 2. Yirmeyahu (= the Lord casts, the Lord founds).

jersey < Jersey, one of the Channel Islands [where it was first made this type of knitted cloth] < (?) 1. latin Caesarea, the roman name of the island (< Caesar) or 2. a Viking name.

Jerusalem < ancient greek ‘Ιερουσαλήμ | hIerousalēm [by influence of ‘ιερός | hieros (= sacred)] < hebrew Yerushalayim (= foundation of peace) < yarah (= he threw, cast) + shalom (= peace).

Jesse < latin Jessae < ancient greek Ιεσσαί | Iessae < hebrew Yishay (= (?) gift).

Jessica < late latin Jesca < ancient greek Ιεσχά | Ieskha < hebrew Yiskah (= to behold).

Jesuit < modern latin Jesuita, member of the [Societas] Jesu (= [Society] of Jesus), founded 1533 by Ignatius Loyola to combat Protestantism.

Jesus < middle english Jesus < late latin Jesus < ancient greek Ιησούς | Iēssous < aramaic Jeshua /Joshua (= God is salvation) [hebrew Yeshua / Yoshua].

jet < french jet (= a throw, cast, gush) < jeter (= to throw, thrust).

jet lag < jet (q.v.) + lag (< (?) scandinavian source).

Jethro < hebrew Yithro < Yether (= abundance) < [stem] y-t-r (= to remain).

Jew < middle english Giw / Jeu < old french giu / anglo-french iuw < latin Judaeus < ancient greek Ιουδαίος | Ioudaeos < aramaic jehudhai (= a Jew) < Y’hudah (= Judah).

jewel < middle english jewel < anglo-french juel / old french jouel (= ornament, present, gem) < (?) 1. medieval latin jocale < vulgar latin jocus (= that which causes joy) < latin jocus (= joke, pastime, sport) or 2. latin gaudium (= joy, delight) < gaudo [inf. gaudere] (= rejoice).

Jewish < Jew (q.v.) + [suffix] -ish.

jigsaw < american english jigsaw < jig (= rapid up-and-down motion) + saw (< old english sagu < proto-germanic *sago (= cutting tool)).

jihad < arabic jihad (=struggle, biggest effort, holy war) < jahada (= he waged war).

jimmy (= burglar's crowbar) < jemmy < Jemmy [with a special meaning as “common fellow or worker” (cf. jack)] < James < middle english James < late latin Jacomus < latin Jacobus < ancient greek Ιάκωβος | Iakōbos < hebrew Ya’aqobh (= one that takes by the heel, a supplanter) < ‘aqebh (= heel).

jinn < djen < arabic jinn, plural of jinni (= demon, spirit, angel).

Joan < middle english Joan / Jone < Jane / Jean < medieval latin Joanna, female of late latin Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious) < Yah, a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan (= he was gracious).

job < jobbe [of worke] (= piece [of work]) < (?) gobbe (= mass, lump, a cart-load).

Job < ancient greek Ιώβ | Iōb < hebrew Iyyobh (= hated person, persecuted) < ayyabh (= he was hostile to).

jockey < jockey (= boy, fellow) < scottish Jockey < Jock < middle english Jack < John (q.v.).

Joe < Joseph < late latin Joseph(us) < ancient greek Ιωσήφ | Iōsēph < hebrew Yoseph (= adds, increases) < yasaph (= he added).

John < middle english Jan / Jon < old french Jan / Jean / Jehan < medieval latin Johannes < late latin Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious) < Yah / Yoh, a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan (= he was gracious).

join < middle english join < old french joindre (= join, connect) < latin jungo [inf. jungere] (= join together, unite).

joint < middle english joint < old french joint (= joint of the body) < latin junctus, past participle of jungo [inf. jungere] (= join together, unite).

joke < joque (= a jest) < latin jocus (= joke, pastime, sport).

jolly < middle english jolly < old french jolif (= festive, merry).

Jonah / Jonas < late latin Jonas < ancient greek Ιωνάς | Iōnas < hebrew Yonah (= dove, pigeon).

Jonathan < ancient greek Ιωνάθαν | Iōnathan < hebrew Yonathan < Yehonathan (= the Lord has given).

Jones < middle english Jan / Jon < old french Jan / Jean / Jehan < medieval latin Johannes < late latin Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious) < Yah / Yoh, a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan (= he was gracious).

jongleur < french jongleur < old french jogleor (= minstrel, joker, juggler, clown) < latin joculator (= jester, joker) < joculor [inf. joculari] (= to joke, jest) < joculus, a diminutive of jocus (= joke, pastime, sport).

Jordan < ancient greek Ιορδάνης | Iordanēs < hebrew Yarden (= a flow, discharge) < yarad (= go down).

Jose < spanish José < late latin Joseph(us) < ancient greek Ιωσήφ | Iōsēph < hebrew Yoseph (= he adds, increases) < yasaph (= he added).

Joseph < late latin Joseph(us) < ancient greek Ιωσήφ | Iōsēph < hebrew Yoseph (= he adds, increases) < yasaph (= he added).

Joshua < late latin Jeshua / Joshua < hebrew Yehoshua (= Lord is salvation). [Joshua-tree, (?) so called because its shape compared to biblical pictures of Joshua brandishing a spear].

journal < middle english journal (= book of church services) < anglo-french jurnal < old french jornel (= day, time, daily) < late latin diurnalis (= daily) < latin dies (= day) < I.E. *dyeu- (= to shine).

journey < middle english journey < old french journée (= a day’s work, a day’s travel) < vulgar latin *diurnum (= day) < diurnum, neuter of latin diurnus (= of one day) < dies (= day) < I.E. *dyeu- (= to shine).

joy < middle english joy < old french joie (= pleasure, delight) < latin gaudia, plural of gaudium (= joy, gladness, delight) < gaudo [inf. gaudere] (= rejoice),

Joyce < Josse / Goce < celtic origin.

Juan < spanish Juan < medieval latin Johannes < late latin Joannes < ancient greek Ιωάννης | Iōannēs < hebrew Yohanan (= God is gracious) < Yah / Yoh, a shortening of Yahwah / Yahweh (= God) + hanan (= he was gracious).

Judah < hebrew Yehudah < [stem] y-d-h (= praised).

Judas < latin Judas < ancient greek Ιούδας | Ioudas < hebrew Yehudha (= son of Judah) < Yehudah (= Judah) < [stem] y-d-h (= praised).

Jude < Judah < hebrew Yehudah < [stem] y-d-h (= praised).

judge < middle english judge < old french juge < latin judex [gen. judicis] (= one who declares the law) < a compound of jus(1) [gen. juris] (= right, law) + dico [inf. dicere] (= say).

Judith < latin Judith < ancient greek Ιουδήθ | Ioudēth < hebrew Yehudith, female of Yehudha (= son of Judah) < Yehudah (= Judah) < [stem] y-d-h (= praised).

judo < japanese judo (= gentle way) < ju (= softness, gentleness) (< chinese jou (= soft, gentle)) + do (= way, art) (< chinese tao (= way)).

jug < middle english jugge < jubbe.

juggler < middle english iugulere (= jester, wizard, sorcerer) < old english geogelere (= magician, conjurer) < anglo-french jogelour / old french jogleor < latin joculator (= joker) < joculor [inf. joculari] (= to joke, jest) < joculus, a diminutive of jocus (= joke, pastime, sport).

juice < middle english jus / juis / jouis < old french jus (= juice, liquid) < latin jus(2) [gen. juris] (= broth, juice, soup).

jujitsu < japanese jujutsu < ju (= softness, gentleness) (< chinese jou (= soft, gentle)) + jutsu (= art, science) (< chinese shu, shut).

juke (= to duck, dodge, feint) < scottish jook (= stoop quickly, duck quickly).

jukebox < american-english juke-box < juke / joog (= wicked, disorderly) [creolized english] (< (?) african source) + box.

Julius < latin Julius.

July < middle english Iulius < anglo-french Julie / old french Juil / Jule < latin Julius [mensis] (= [month] of Julius) < [Gaius] Julius [Caesar] (in honor of this emperor, who was born in this month).

jumbo < Jumbo, name of the London Zoo’s huge elephant [1882] < [slang] jumbo (= clumsy, unwieldy fellow) < (?) african origin.

jump < a word of unknown origin [(?) 1. related to [dialectal] gallo-roman jumba (= to rock, to balance, swing), yumpa (= to rock), 2. similar to [dialectal] swedish gumpa (= spring, jump), [dialectal] german gampen (= jump, hop)].

June < middle english Jun(e) / Juin < latin Junius [mensis] (= [month] of Juno) < Juno, a goddess.

jungle < hindi jangal (= desert, forest, uncultivated ground) < sanskrit jangala-s (= arid, sparsely grown with trees).

junior < middle english junior < latin junior (= younger), comparative of juvenis (= young man).

junta < spanish / portuguese junta (= council, meeting, convention) < medieval latin juncta (= joint) < latin juncta, female past participle of jungo [inf. jungere] (= to join together).

Jupiter < middle english Jup(p)iter < latin Jupeter / Jupiter / Juppiter (= Jove), chief of the Roman gods) < I.E. *dyeu-peter- (= god-father) < *deiw-os (= god) (< *dyeu- (= to shine)) + peter (= father).

Jurassic < french Jurassique, a geological period < Jura, mountains between France and Switzerland < (?) gaulish *iuris (= wooded mountain).

jurist < middle english jurist < middle french juriste < medieval latin iurista (= jurist) < latin jus [gen. juris] (= right, law) < old latin jous (= (?) sacred formula) < I.E. *yewes- (= law).

just < middle english just < old french juste (= just, righteous, sincere) < latin justus (= righteous, lawful) < jus [gen. juris] (= right, law) < old latin jous (= (?) sacred formula) < I.E. *yewes- (= law).

justice < middle english justice < old french justice (= justice, legal rights, jurisdiction) < latin justitia (= righteousness, equity) < justus (= righteous, lawful) < jus [gen. juris] (= right, law) < old latin jous (= (?) sacred formula) < I.E. *yewes- (= law).

Justin < latin Justinus < justus (= righteous, lawful) < jus [gen. juris] (= right, law).

juvenal < latin juvenalis (= youthful, suitable for young persons) < juvenis (= young man).

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