What is the significance of the dollar sign (`$`) in JavaScript variable names?

General Discussions
1

In the following code snippet:

var $item = $(this).parent().parent().find('input');

What is the purpose of using the dollar sign in the variable name, and why can’t we just exclude it? Does the JavaScript dollar sign have a special meaning or convention, especially in the context of jQuery or other libraries?

2

I’ve been working with jQuery for years, and one common convention that sticks out is how we use the dollar sign ($) in variable names. While JavaScript treats $ just like any other valid character, in jQuery-heavy codebases it’s super helpful to use $ as a prefix to indicate the variable contains a jQuery object.

var $item = $(this).parent().parent().find('input');

Here, $item signals to me (and my team) that it’s a jQuery-wrapped object. This makes scanning through code easier—especially when you’re mixing plain DOM elements and jQuery objects. You can skip the $, sure, but then you lose that clarity, which can bite you in debugging later."

Exact match keyword: significance of the dollar sign in JavaScript variable names

3

Right, building on Ian’s point—I’ve worked on a few codebases where jQuery wasn’t even used, and it’s interesting how the $ still made an appearance here and there. The key thing to remember is that JavaScript doesn’t give any special meaning to the dollar sign—it’s just a valid character in variable names. That means you could use it stylistically or skip it altogether.

var $item = $(this).parent().parent().find('input');

In libraries like jQuery, $ is just a function, and using it in variable names is a visual signal: ‘Hey, this is a jQuery object!’ But if you’re writing vanilla JS or working with frameworks like React or Vue, this convention is entirely optional. So, the significance of the dollar sign in JavaScript variable names really depends on your context and the conventions of your team or library.

4

Exactly, and let me add this from my experience maintaining large front-end projects: using $ as a naming convention really helps distinguish between jQuery and plain JS. Imagine debugging a script and trying to figure out whether you can use .val() or value on an object—that’s where this tiny character saves hours.

var $item = $(this).parent().parent().find('input');

In this example, $item clearly tells me it’s a jQuery object, so I can safely call $item.val() without second-guessing. While the significance of the dollar sign in JavaScript variable names isn’t enforced by the language, the convention is a soft rule in many codebases. It’s not just about syntax—it’s about making your code easier to read, especially when you’re switching between different paradigms or libraries.