The best replacement for jquery is dojo.

The best alternatives to jquery are rated as following:
★★★★★  dojo
★★★★  javascript
★★★  prototype
★★★  yui
★★  ajax
★★  mootools
★★  angularjs
★★  $
★  selector
★  jquery mobile
★  extjs
★  bootstrap
★  gwt
★  node.js
★  scriptaculous
★  jquery ui
★  html5
  zepto
  silverlight
  asp.net ajax
  sencha
  backbone
  selectors
  angular
  if
  javascript performance
  spry
  css
  underscore
  closure
  ajax.net
  mootool
  ext

Your alternative for jquery is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about jquery, one probably shouldn't forget about ajax.

Other search terms related to jquery and their ratings are:
★★★★★ ajax
★★★★ php
★★★ asp.net
★★ rails
★★ sizzle
★★ attribute
★★ document.ready
★★ angularjs
★★ selector
★ bootstrap
★ coffeescript
★ javascript
★ node.js
★ refresh
★ django
★ json
★ prototype
★ codeigniter
★ click
★ phonegap
★ dollar sign
★ asp
★ dom
★ joomla
html5
iframe
mvc2
id
xml
css
mvc
ready
jsp
gwt
ajax tutorial
master pages
asp.net ajax
zend framework
You have in mind a companion for jquery and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of jquery in all years. Click on graph for more.
jquery
dojo
javascript