Jack

Jack is also commonly used in the Dutch-speaking world:

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• https://nvb.meertens.knaw.nl/naam/is/Jack (in Dutch; shows the prevalence of the name in the Netherlands in 2017)
• http://www.names.be/jongensnamen.html?met=Jack&sort=beldesc (in Dutch; shows the prevalence of the name in Belgium in 2009)

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As you can see, the name has been in use since at least the 1920s. That's well before the post-war period of WW II, which is when English names gained much greater exposure in the Dutch-speaking world. This means that Jack isn't necessarily an imported English name; back then it was either a short form or alternate spelling of the French name Jacques, which also ended up being used on bearers of the related names Jacob and Jacobus. This is something that must originally have come from France, as it's commonplace there to shorten Jacques to Jacky → see Jake Fax' comment here in this comment section.

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Another thing that indicates a French origin for Jack in the Dutch-speaking world, is the pronunciation of the name. Back then, the name was pronounced in two ways (depending on the region):

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• /'ʃɑk/ → spelled phonetically as Sjak in Dutch
• /'ʒɑk/ → spelled phonetically as Zjak in Dutch

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After World War II, these pronunciations were gradually abandoned (by later generations) in favour of the English pronunciation (or rather, the Dutch approximation of it):

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• /'d͡ʑɛk/ → spelled phonetically as Djek in Dutch

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As a result, there is a generational divide when it comes to the pronunciation: most boomers and those remaining of the generations before them use the French-based pronunciations, while the younger generations (especially millennials and Gen Z) use the English-based pronunciation.

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There is a geographical divide as well: the French-based pronunciations are most prevalent in the south of the Netherlands, specifically the provinces of Limburg and North Brabant. Outside these provinces, even boomers are more likely to use the English pronunciation. This geographical divide exists because the Catholic south borders Belgium and has historically been more exposed to the French language and culture than the rest of the country.

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With that said, here are some audio clips of the English-based pronunciation:

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• https://nl.wiktionary.org/wiki/Jack (in Dutch)
• https://nl.forvo.com/search/Jack/nl/ (in Dutch)

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And here are video clips with "Zjak", one of the two French-based pronunciations - in all cases, the speaker is a Limburgian:

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• https://youtu.be/3TWiFYAsJTI (in Dutch; the name is said at 0:04)
• https://youtu.be/tH_28g8x53A (in Dutch; the name is said at 0:04)
• https://youtu.be/LWJxEHiJLIo (in Dutch; the name is said at 0:32)
• https://youtu.be/uOQWM_Frf3Y (in Limburgish; the name is said at 0:04 and 0:16)
• https://youtu.be/uHURRbUCtLA (in Limburgish; the name is said at 0:11 and 0:20)

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Last but certainly not least, I would like to note that for the older generations (such as boomers and earlier), Jack is not typically an official name on their birth certificate. It's just an informal name for daily life; their official name is usually Jacob, Jacobus or Jacques. As such, the real number of men named Jack is much higher than the popularity statistics show, as the statistics are purely based on the civil registry (i.e. the birth certificates).

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Other relevant sources:
• https://li.wiktionary.org/wiki/Jack (in Limburgish)
• https://www.behindthename.com/bb/fact/5312409 (in English; mentions the French-based pronunciation as well as the generational difference)
• http://www.voornamelijk.nl/jack-is-weer-in-de-mode-een-opmerkelijke-revival/ (in Dutch; "In Limburg (net als bij Jack Poels) wordt Jack meestal uitgesproken als Zjak." + "In Brabant is dat net zo, zij het dat het misschien eerder als Sjak klinkt dan als Zjak.")
• https://forum.fok.nl/topic/2459263/4 (in Dutch; "Jack als Sjak is in Limburg en Brabant enzo heel normaal." + "Oh hier ook Brabant (z-o) en Jack wordt hier ook heel vaak als Zjak uitgesproken hoor, meer dan Djek.")
• Jacob "Jack" Spijkerman (b. 1948): https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Spijkerman (in Dutch)
• Jacobus "Jack" Wouterse (b. 1957): https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Wouterse (in Dutch)
• Jacques "Jack" Bulterman (1909-1977): https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Bulterman (in Dutch)

Jack can also be used as a nickname for "Jacob".

Also Dutch: https://www.meertens.knaw.nl/nvb/naam/is/Jack

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Also French: https://meilleursprenoms.com/popularite-prenom/Jack

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Also Swedish and Danish: https://www.nordicnames.de/wiki/Jack

I do not like this name at all. This name is too general and trashy, only idiots name their children that name. I also don't like that it is connected to several bad words. All Jacks I have ever known are stupid idiots and total jerks. I hope I never meet another Jack in my life!

In 2018, 5 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Jack who is registered male with the Social Security Administration. It is the 116th most common male first name for living U.S. citizens.

Why is this a nickname for John?

I've seen it used as a diminutive of James as well, although this is far less common, I believe.

In Italy we used the nickname Jack for the name Giacomo or Jacopo and never for the name Giovanni (John). My full name is Giacomo and my nickname is Jake but some people call me Jack. I believe that Jack is in origin an English version of the French name Jacques (James or Jacob). Also, in many other languages it's linked to my name; for example, in France Jacky is a very usual short form of Jacques and in Germany we found Jackel (or Jockel) used for the name Jakob. At Last: not all the Jacks are in origin Johns, but many of them are Jacobs (or Jameses).

I like Jack only as a nickname for John.

At least in the case of the fictional character Jonathan "Jack" Murdock aka Battlin' Jack Murdock (father of Matt Murdock aka Daredevil), it is a diminutive of Jonathan.

I think it's kind of short on its own but there is the nickname Jackie for it. Although I never understood how it can be a nickname for John since the length is the same.

Maybe this name is overused in the UK in certain age groups, but in the US I have never met a single person of any generation named or called Jack. Johnny or J are more common nicknames for John, or it's just a nickname for any guy, like Buddy or Joe.