Meaning & Origin
Alternative spelling of Jacklyn (“Jacqueline”).
Jaclyn is a girl's and boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a feminine form of Jacob (via Jacqueline), meaning 'supplanter' or 'one who follows' — from the Hebrew Yaakov. With nearly 50,000 recorded births in U.S. SSA data, Jaclyn has deep roots in American naming.
The simplified Jaclyn spelling made the French Jacqueline more streamlined and accessible for American parents in the mid-20th century. It was particularly popular in the 1970s-80s and carries the warmth of that era. Actress Jaclyn Smith of Charlie's Angels was one of its most prominent bearers, giving the name a lasting association with glamour and strength.