Meaning: Its source is John, an English name meaning "God's grace."

Origin: "John."

Nickname For: Jack

Narrative: In the Middle Ages, a little boy named John might be called Johnny or John-kin. The second of these two nicknames generated the independent names Jankin, Jenkin, Jackin and Jack.

Not all these names have shown the endurance of the ever-likable Jack, but they are remembered in numerous surnames. Witness the many Jennings, Jacksons, Jenkinses and Jenkinsons that populate American telephone directories, and that are coming into vogue as distinguished (if rare) personal names.

Meaning: Its source is Jacques, a French name meaning "One who grasps by the heel or supplanter."

Origin: "Jacques."

Popularity: The name Jacki ranked 2317th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name appears on the 1990 U.S. Census lists, it is used by only a small percentage of the general population.

Narrative: For many, this name brings to mind Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (1929-1994). She stepped into the international limelight when her husband, John F. Kennedy, was elected to the U.S. presidency in 1960.

The country was certainly unaccustomed to young, beautiful First Ladies, but she made an equally strong impression with the highly developed talents she brought to the job. After her husband's assasination in 1963, her courageous display of character inspired the world.

Her post-White House years were watched closely by an admiring public. Resuming a life-long interest in the printed word, she worked as an editor for a major publishing house from 1978 until her death.