Let us know which J names you love – and any we’ve missed! And tell us all about your little J too.
We’d love to share your joy! Email lucindakate@namebabyname.com
In the most recent top 1000 names in America, there were 54 girls’ names starting with J. Josephine jumped ahead, followed by Jade, Julia, Juniper and Josie.
I was a bit surprised to see Journee and Journi on the list, as well as the incredibly modern Jream and Julissa, but thought it was lovely that Jolene and Joyce are still popular.
What do you think?
CHART TO FOLLOW SHORTLY
Timeless charm: traditional and under-used J names for girls
This next set of J names don’t feature in the top 1000, but we think they are classic and utterly charming.
Joan:
Steeped in Hebrew origins, Joan, meaning “God is gracious”, resonates with fortitude and resilience. Eternally linked with the valiant Joan of Arc, it is a symbol of unwavering strength and courage and featured in the top 1000 names throughout the 20th century until 1993.
Janet:
A delightful English diminutive of Jane, Janet, also meaning “God is gracious”, exudes a vintage charm. It’s a name that carries the elegance of yesteryears with a gentle, enduring grace.
Janine:
A French variant of Jane, Janine is graceful and classic. While it has a sophisticated ring to it, it’s not been commonly used in recent years, dropping out of the top 1000 chart in 1994.
Jillian:
Deriving from Latin, Jillian, a lively variant of Juliana, means “youthful”. It’s a name that bubbles with playfulness and vitality, an ideal match for a girl with a spirited and energetic personality.
Josette:
A French diminutive of Josephine, Josette combines traditional roots with a unique twist. It’s a charming and elegant name that has fallen out of common use. It last appeared in the top 1000 names in 1973, with its most popular year was 1968 when a total of 417 Josettes were born in America!
Jemima:
With biblical origins, Jemima is a Hebrew name meaning “dove”. It’s rich in symbolism and history yet has never appeared in the top 1000 names in America.
Jerry:
A name that originally evolved as a diminutive of Geraldine, Jerry carries the meaning of “ruler with a spear” from its Germanic roots. It’s a name that blends a casual vibe with a touch of historical strength.
Jodie:
An English diminutive of Judith, Jodie means “Jewish woman” or “praised” and is a name that marries heritage with a modern, approachable feel.
Jean:
With its roots in the French version of John, Jean means “God is gracious”. This name, timeless in its simplicity, carries an air of classic elegance and understated grace.
Justine:
The feminine form of Justin, Justine is of Latin origin and means “just” or “fair”. This name sounds modern and has a sense of balance and morality.
Janice:
A mid-20th century favorite, Janice is a derivative of Jane and means “God is gracious”. It has vintage charm and a warm, familiar feel.
Jeannette:
A diminutive of Jeanne, the French variant of Jane, Jeannette offers a blend of traditional charm and quaint elegance. It also means “God is gracious” which adds an element of reverence.
Ultra-modern and less common J names for girls
Here are a few fresher ideas that also don’t make the top 1000, but we think could become increasingly popular:
Jessa:
A modern variation of Jessica. Sleek, simple, and stylish, TV personality Jessa Seewald has increased its visibility.
Juno:
Named after the Roman goddess, protector of women and marriage, Juno is a name that exudes strength, power, and femininity.
Jael or Jaelle:
A Hebrew name meaning “mountain goat”, Jael or Jaelle is distinctive and memorable with a contemporary sound.
Jordelle:
A creative twist on Jordan. Jordelle is modern and unique, ideal for a trailblazing girl.
January:
Rooted in Latin, January is the first month and derived from “Januarius”. In mythology Janus is the Roman god of doorways and transitions and this name symbolizes new beginnings and fresh starts.
Jenara:
A modern name, possibly a combination of Jennifer and Tamara. We think Jenara is graceful and unique.
Jelena:
A name of Slavic origin, Jelena means “bright, shining one”. It’s a name that radiates elegance and rarity.
Jasira:
With Arabic roots, Jasira means “bold, courageous”. It’s a name that stands out for its power and uniqueness, embodying strength and unyielding determination. .
Jerusha:
Deriving from Hebrew, Jerusha, an elaborated form of Sarah, signifies “inheritance”. It’s a vintage name that graced the top charts over a century ago but is now a rare gem. With its playful sound and meaningful heritage, Jerusha is ripe for a modern revival.
Jara:
A name with dual origins – in Slavic, Jara means “spring” symbolizing renewal and growth, while in Hebrew, as a variant of Yara, it means “honeycomb” or “honey,” suggesting sweetness and natural beauty. Either way we think it’s simple and striking.
Jazelle:
A rare and modern name, Jazelle combines the rhythmic flair of “jazz” with the classic elegance of the suffix “elle”. This name strikes a unique chord, offering a musical, poetic quality that’s both modern and enchanting.
Jupiter:
Drawing from Latin, and the name of the largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter symbolizes grandeur, strength, and astronomical wonder. It is also trending upwards since both actress Ashley Tisdale and singer Ed Sheeran have chosen it for their daughters.
Jalani or Jelani:
Swahili for “mighty” or “powerful”, Jelani is a name that resonates with strength and presence, perfect for a child with a strong and influential personality.
Jubilee:
Originating from Hebrew, Jubilee means “ram’s horn” or “celebration”. It’s a name that resonates with joy and festivity, embodying the essence of special occasions and life’s grand celebrations.
Jazz:
An American name inspired by the vivacious and soulful music genre Jazz is a short and sweet name brimming with spirit.
J names for girls with international flair
We’ve also looked across the world for J names for girls, and these are some of our favourites:
Jia:
In Chinese, Jia stands for “good, beautiful”, embodying simplicity and profound beauty. It’s a name that resonates with elegance.
Juliette:
A French diminutive of Julie, Juliette means “youthful” and we think is the epitome of romance and sophistication.
Jacinta:
With Spanish and Portuguese origins, Jacinta means “hyacinth” and is a name that blooms with vibrancy. It’s a name that’s floral and radiant.
Jasleen:
A contemporary Indian name, Jasleen possibly meaning “absorbed in good reputation” sings with positive vibrations.
Justyna:
The Polish feminine form of Justyn, Justyna means “just, righteous”. This name gracefully embodies fairness and a poised sense of integrity.
Jamila:
Arabic for “beautiful”, Jamila flows like poetry. It’s a name that exudes elegance.
Johanna:
A German variation of Johannes, Johanna means “God is gracious”. It’s a timeless name with a nod to strong faith.
Jumana:
In Arabic, Jumana means “silver pearl” and it’s a name that speaks of luxury and rarity.
Jorunn:
Rooted in Norwegian tradition, Jorunn is derived from Old Norse words meaning “horse” and “love” so is a name that stands for nobility and affection.
Inspirational gems: J names inspired by Literature, culture and music
Some of the most-loved J names for girls are linked to key people in literature – Juliet was immortalized by Shakespeare’s love story with Romeo, and Charlotte Bronte charmed us with Jane Eyre.
But modern culture also has its part to play – Jessica Rabbit is iconic, and I don’t know many people who wouldn’t link Jennifer to Ms Aniston or Ms Lopez.
Here are some more J names we like that are linked to classic or pop culture:
Julia (Latin):
Meaning ‘youthful’ Julie is a name that evokes elegance, timelessness, and classical beauty and is now synonymous with the fabulous Ms Roberts.
Judy:
Meaning “praised”, Judy Garland brought this name to the fore and now it reflects talent, resilience, and her memorable performances.
Janelle:
A modern name, possibly a variant of Jane, made famous by singer, songwriter, rapper and actress Janelle Monáe which is reminiscent of her individuality, artistic talent and bold style.
Joni:
Possibly a diminutive of Joan, Joni Mitchell was one of the most influential singer-songwriters from the 1960s folk circuit. Her name is now permanently linked to artistic expression and has a deep connection to music. (She was actually born Roberta Joan!)
Jane:
Meaning ‘God is gracious’, Jane Austen means this simple name will always be associated with literary charm and intelligence.
Jolene:
Possibly a blend of Jo and Eileen, Dolly Parton made this name famous and it will forever be linked to the beautiful red-head in her iconic song.
Gender neutral J names
We love that Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds chose the name James for their daughter. Here are some more gender neutral options we have found:
Jordan:
Of Hebrew origin and the name of the Jordan River, which flows between Jordan and Israel, the name means “to flow down” or “descend”. It’s popular for boys and girls, and is often associated with the river’s significance in religious texts.
Jamie:
A diminutive form of James or a variant of Jamie, which is derived from Jacob, meaning “supplanter”. Jamie is used for both boys and girls and is appreciated for its friendly and approachable sound.
Jules:
Originally a diminutive form of Julian or Julia, meaning “youthful” or “downy”, Jules is of Latin origin and has become a stand-alone name for both genders.
Jay:
In Sanskrit, Jay means “victory”, while in English Jay can be a short form of any name beginning with “J”. It’s also a simple and catchy name in its own right which is used for both boys and girls.
Justice:
This direct English word represents fairness and impartiality and has proved popular for both genders, with parents who choose Justice keen to instil a strong moral character from the outset.
Jesse:
A Hebrew name meaning “gift” or “God exists”. While traditionally a male name in the Bible, Jesse is now used for both boys and girls by parents who appreciate its gentle sound and spiritual significance.
Jaden:
A modern name possibly derived from the Hebrew Jadon, meaning “thankful” or “God will judge”. Jaden is a contemporary name used for both genders, known for its modern and stylish sound.
Joss (Old German):
A short form of Jocelyn which means “a member of the Gauts tribe”, Joss is a unique and modern name that works for both boys and girls and offers a cool and edgy vibe.
Joey (Hebrew, English):
A diminutive form of Joseph or Josephine, meaning “Jehovah increases”. Joey is a friendly and approachable name that suits both genders and is often associated with a playful and youthful spirit.
Jordi:
Catalan for George, Jordi means “farmer” or “earth-worker” so is a name that connects deeply with nature and the land. It’s a staple in Catalan culture, associated with their patron saint and a strong choice for boys and girls.
Journey:
This English word symbolizes exploration and adventure. Journey is also an evocative and inspirational name used for both boys and girls.
Middle Names beginning with J
It might be that a middle initial “J” is important to you, so you can either join it to a first initial for a nickname like CJ or TJ, or perhaps give your child’s full name a melodic cadence like Michael J. Fox, who incidentally swapped his real life A for Andrew for a J! Here are some middle names that begin with J we think work well.
Joan
the middle name of Kim Kardashian and Kayne West’s daughter North.
Jane
A go-to middle name choice that’s simple and enduring
Joyce
A vintage name that has a literary edge
Jade
Short, sweet and precious
Juliet
Adds drama and allure
Justice
Modern virtue that packs a punch
Jerome
Striking and masculine
Jewel
A touch of glamour
Jai
Short and triumphant
Jean
classic French
We’d love to hear what you think of our J names, the J names you love and your baby Js!
Your story could help another parent name their baby!
Please get in touch at lucindakate@namebabyname.com.
