What if the beautiful Salome performed her erotic “Dance of a Thousand Veils,” to receive, on a platter, the head of Jack the Baptist?
The name Jack is presumed to have originated as a nickname for those men named John. And before that in Hebrew times, Jacob could have been known as “Jack”. John is mentioned often in the Bible, perhaps this is the earliest source of “Jack Tales”. It wasn’t until the 1300’s that the name Jack appeared in print. Many oral tales proceeded however, and they were often bawdy and not told in mixed company. Locker room stories of olden times!
The name became associated with a common man, one who lacked education, but had a good heart. The name Jack is used in common language more often than any other first name. Just think of a few – blackjack, steeplejack, carjack, applejack, jackrabbit, jackknife, jackass, and the common but good man who is a “jack of all trades”.
By the 15th century in England, Jack became the character in the tales we all 
know. Jack killed the giants, climbed a massive beanstalk, jumped over candlesticks, and fell down a lot. This Jack was a hero, and brought home the gold to live happily ever after. Jack was a good boy, often poor, and living with his mother. He also crossed the Atlantic, and became a hero and trickster figure in United States Folklore.
But, Jack remains a hero to us throughout all times. So, if you are lucky enough to be named Jack or Jackie if you are female, celebrate your first name!
“But that was always the way with Jacks, wasn’t it? They were clever and fools all at once.” – Charles de Lint
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