The name Jessica did indeed gain popularity largely due to William Shakespeare, who is credited for its use in his play ‘The Merchant of Venice,’ which was written around 1596. In the play, Jessica is the daughter of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, and her character plays a significant role as she elopes with Lorenzo, a Christian. Before Shakespeare’s work, the name Jessica was virtually unknown, and it is believed that he derived it from the biblical name Iscah, the daughter of Haran, which is mentioned in the book of Genesis.
Shakespeare’s introduction of the name Jessica into the English language contributed greatly to its adoption and popularity in subsequent years. Although he did not ‘make up’ the name entirely from scratch, his use of it in literature certainly cemented it in cultural consciousness, leading many to associate it with his work. Thus, while Shakespeare may not have invented the name in the absolute sense, he played a crucial role in its propagation.