- Jay Name Origin: English
- Pronunciation: j(ay)
- See what 7 people think about Jay
Jay Name Meaning
The meaning of the name Jay is “cheerful” or “joyful,” reflecting its origins as a nickname for John. The name Jay suggests happiness, positivity, and a zest for life, making it a great choice for parents who are looking for a name that reflects their son’s character.
Origins of the Name Jay
The name Jay is of Latin and French origin, and it’s derived from the Latin name “Gaius.” This charming name has a rich history, and it’s a great choice for parents who are looking for a name that’s classic and modern at the same time.
History of the Name Jay
The name Jay has been around for centuries, with roots in Latin and French. In the Middle Ages, Jay was used as a nickname for John, and it was also used as a given name in its own right. Over time, the name evolved into the modern spelling of Jay, and it’s now used as a given name in many different countries around the world.
Popularity of the Name Jay
The name Jay has been popular for many years, and it’s now a common name for boys in the United States. According to the Social Security Administration, the name Jay was the 329th most popular name for boys born in the United States in 2020. The popularity of the name Jay is likely due to its short and sweet sound, as well as its association with happiness, positivity, and a zest for life.
Jay is also the name of a bird, specifically the Blue Jay. This beautiful bird is known for its bright blue feathers, cheerful chirping, and energetic personality. So if you’re looking for a name for your little guy that’s as bright and cheerful as the bird it’s named after, Jay is a great choice!
Final Thoughts on the Name Jay
Jay is a name that’s got a lot of personality and a lot of style! With its roots in Latin and French, it’s a name that’s got a lot of history and a lot of meaning. Whether you’re looking for a name that’s classic and modern, or a name that’s got a lot of cheer, Jay is a great choice. So if you’re looking for a name for your little guy that’s as bright and cheerful as the bird it’s named after, consider the name Jay!
Jay Name Popularity
How popular is the name Jay? Here’s everything we know.
| Year | Rank | # Births | % Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 223 | 72 | 0.0204% |
| 1911 | 237 | 75 | 0.0201% |
| 1912 | 176 | 293 | 0.0581% |
| 1913 | 189 | 323 | 0.057% |
| 1914 | 213 | 336 | 0.0482% |
| 1915 | 199 | 516 | 0.0568% |
| 1916 | 183 | 607 | 0.0628% |
| 1917 | 189 | 610 | 0.061% |
| 1918 | 184 | 686 | 0.0639% |
| 1919 | 195 | 617 | 0.0589% |
| 1920 | 198 | 640 | 0.0576% |
| 1921 | 175 | 801 | 0.07% |
| 1922 | 177 | 767 | 0.0688% |
| 1923 | 171 | 811 | 0.0724% |
| 1924 | 170 | 819 | 0.0705% |
| 1925 | 181 | 764 | 0.0676% |
| 1926 | 175 | 795 | 0.0723% |
| 1927 | 170 | 851 | 0.0769% |
| 1928 | 185 | 735 | 0.0687% |
| 1929 | 170 | 803 | 0.0775% |
| 1930 | 167 | 862 | 0.0825% |
| 1931 | 166 | 847 | 0.0858% |
| 1932 | 163 | 900 | 0.0911% |
| 1933 | 150 | 934 | 0.1003% |
| 1934 | 156 | 907 | 0.0938% |
| 1935 | 147 | 1,047 | 0.1077% |
| 1936 | 140 | 1,075 | 0.1116% |
| 1937 | 136 | 1,123 | 0.114% |
| 1938 | 139 | 1,159 | 0.1132% |
| 1939 | 141 | 1,129 | 0.111% |
| 1940 | 139 | 1,273 | 0.1198% |
| 1941 | 138 | 1,391 | 0.1236% |
| 1942 | 133 | 1,570 | 0.1243% |
| 1943 | 134 | 1,658 | 0.127% |
| 1944 | 135 | 1,541 | 0.1243% |
| 1945 | 125 | 1,741 | 0.1428% |
| 1946 | 115 | 2,186 | 0.1481% |
| 1947 | 118 | 2,431 | 0.1456% |
| 1948 | 123 | 2,267 | 0.142% |
| 1949 | 118 | 2,456 | 0.1527% |
| 1950 | 115 | 2,572 | 0.1597% |
| 1951 | 116 | 2,634 | 0.1554% |
| 1952 | 106 | 3,023 | 0.1732% |
| 1953 | 99 | 3,237 | 0.1829% |
| 1954 | 101 | 3,368 | 0.1842% |
| 1955 | 103 | 3,397 | 0.1847% |
| 1956 | 92 | 4,117 | 0.218% |
| 1957 | 88 | 4,629 | 0.2406% |
| 1958 | 86 | 5,021 | 0.2657% |
| 1959 | 87 | 4,938 | 0.2599% |
| 1960 | 78 | 5,384 | 0.2842% |
| 1961 | 81 | 5,120 | 0.2712% |
| 1962 | 80 | 5,156 | 0.2808% |
| 1963 | 85 | 4,720 | 0.2629% |
| 1964 | 84 | 4,571 | 0.2597% |
| 1965 | 89 | 3,945 | 0.2412% |
| 1966 | 91 | 3,598 | 0.2304% |
| 1967 | 87 | 3,614 | 0.2381% |
| 1968 | 87 | 3,428 | 0.2283% |
| 1969 | 94 | 3,182 | 0.2065% |
| 1970 | 97 | 3,417 | 0.2147% |
| 1971 | 114 | 2,861 | 0.1904% |
| 1972 | 115 | 2,446 | 0.1796% |
| 1973 | 118 | 2,217 | 0.171% |
| 1974 | 109 | 2,363 | 0.1818% |
| 1975 | 117 | 2,172 | 0.169% |
| 1976 | 127 | 2,091 | 0.1622% |
| 1977 | 130 | 2,091 | 0.1551% |
| 1978 | 120 | 2,142 | 0.1593% |
| 1979 | 125 | 2,146 | 0.1522% |
| 1980 | 139 | 1,983 | 0.1356% |
| 1981 | 153 | 1,782 | 0.1212% |
| 1982 | 164 | 1,661 | 0.1112% |
| 1983 | 169 | 1,532 | 0.1038% |
| 1984 | 171 | 1,543 | 0.1037% |
| 1985 | 174 | 1,511 | 0.0996% |
| 1986 | 179 | 1,466 | 0.0971% |
| 1987 | 182 | 1,468 | 0.0962% |
| 1988 | 199 | 1,342 | 0.0861% |
| 1989 | 203 | 1,415 | 0.0877% |
| 1990 | 217 | 1,395 | 0.0842% |
| 1991 | 234 | 1,246 | 0.0764% |
| 1992 | 237 | 1,184 | 0.0742% |
| 1993 | 258 | 1,087 | 0.0697% |
| 1994 | 262 | 1,084 | 0.0706% |
| 1995 | 277 | 982 | 0.0652% |
| 1996 | 289 | 903 | 0.0603% |
| 1997 | 296 | 912 | 0.0617% |
| 1998 | 327 | 803 | 0.0537% |
| 1999 | 326 | 818 | 0.0546% |
| 2000 | 326 | 844 | 0.0552% |
| 2001 | 310 | 872 | 0.0579% |
| 2002 | 333 | 792 | 0.0529% |
| 2003 | 346 | 773 | 0.0508% |
| 2004 | 350 | 778 | 0.051% |
| 2005 | 346 | 826 | 0.054% |
| 2006 | 348 | 846 | 0.054% |
| 2007 | 397 | 715 | 0.0453% |
| 2008 | 395 | 729 | 0.0472% |
| 2009 | 408 | 680 | 0.0455% |
| 2010 | 405 | 655 | 0.0455% |
| 2011 | 398 | 678 | 0.0476% |
| 2012 | 384 | 737 | 0.0517% |
| 2013 | 389 | 733 | 0.0515% |
| 2014 | 367 | 817 | 0.0561% |
| 2015 | 388 | 777 | 0.0534% |
| 2016 | 389 | 775 | 0.0538% |
| 2017 | 377 | 818 | 0.0586% |
| 2018 | 392 | 760 | 0.0553% |
| 2019 | 371 | 802 | 0.0592% |
| 2020 | 382 | 758 | 0.0596% |
| 2021 | 380 | 815 | 0.0667% |
| 2022 | 367 | 860 | 0.0652% |
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Data via SSA.gov.
Names Like Jay
If you like Jay, you’ll love these other names like Jay.
What names are variants of Jay?
Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Jay.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jae |
Blue crested bird; talent; riches |
American, Asian, Latin |
|
|
| Jai |
Blue crested bird |
Latin |
|
|
| Jaye |
Blue crested bird |
Latin |
|
|
| Jayron |
Blue crested bird |
Latin |
|
|
| Jayronn |
Blue crested bird |
Latin |
||
| Jeh |
Blue crested bird |
Latin |
What names sound like Jay?
If you like how Jay sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Jay.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Way |
Land by the road |
English |
What names are similar to Jay?
Find a name that’s like Jay, but just a little bit different.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Popularity | Other Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jadrian |
American |
|
||
| Jaylen |
Created name |
American |
|
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7 Comments
Patti
After giving brith to my son Jay, my other son and my husband went to the beach and were drawing names in the sand. We had chosen Joy for a girl and after awhile they drew Jay. And so he was named. It’s also a derivative of the name John and the meaning is fervent one. He’s now 34, I will pass this wonderful idea on!
No nametags needed on Jay’s Peak!
Elda
It’s simple and nature themed at the same time. We named him after the blue jay!
Jay Swett
I just read about the meeting of Kyles in Kyle, England, that topped out at about 750, and I wondered how many Jays would be interested in gathering at Jay Peak in New Hampshire, a resort for skiing in the winter (as well as an indoor water park) and summer activities in the summer, including an alpine slide (1 km or so sled ride down the mountain after a breathtaking ride up the chairlift). I was born in Vermont and grew up near Lake Winnipesaukee in N.H. and spent a lot of time in Maine, though I have lived from Alaska to New Zealand to Italy and many other placess over the years (oh yeah, I am 63 years young!) and have done at least 80,000 nm of my travels on small (under 70 feet) boats, mostly sailboats. I have also met a few female Jays, so come on! I am currently living in Mexico, so this wouldn’t be happening until 2026 or 2027. What do you think? Check out Jay Peak’s website and let me know what you think… Imagine a flock of Jays descending on Jay Peak. Also, I guarantee we would NOT be paying regular retail prices (friends in high places and all that). Hope to hear from you.
Jay Swett
I am wrong. Jay Peak is in Vermont!
Julliana
It’s a great name
Kia
His dad chose the name
jay
cool