Cat Names That Start With J

  1. January
    • Origin:

      English month name, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "doorway"
    • Description:

      Cooler than the older month names like April and May, and a highly unusual and eye-catching choice. The most famous real-life January is female – January Jones – but the month is named for the Roman god Janus, who presided over doors and new beginnings.
  2. Janus
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "doorway"
    • Description:

      The meaning of this ancient Roman god's name relates to transitions, hence its connection to the name of the first month of the new year, a time of fresh beginnings. Janus is usually depicted as a two-faced god facing in opposite directions, since he looks both to the future and the past. It's no surprise then, that Janus is one of the premiere January baby names. The Slavic form Janusz is more commonly used than the English, represented by the Polish cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, who has shot all of Steven Spielberg's films from Schindler's List to Lincoln.
  3. Jersey
    • Origin:

      English place name
    • Meaning:

      "Geirr's island"
    • Description:

      The New Jersey cities of Camden and Trenton are in, but the name of the state has not caught on to anywhere near the same extent, possibly due to its association with knitted pullovers and reality TV. Nevertheless, Jersey peaked as a masculine name in 2022, when it was given to around 60 boys.
  4. Jumana
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "silver pearl"
    • Description:

      Rare and rhythmic.
  5. Jojo
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Jo-beginning names
    • Description:

      Sprightly and engaging nickname for human, full name for pet. Author Jojo Moyes and dancer/singer Jojo Sliwa have propelled the name into the public eye.
  6. Jory
    • Description:

      Jory as a feminine name is an intriguing choice with several possible origins. It may be a feminine adaptation of the masculine Jory, which itself can be a variant of George (meaning "farmer"), a form of the Hebrew name Yore ("he will teach"), or a short form of names like Marjorie. When used for girls, Jory has a modern, androgynous quality with its short, punchy sound. The name's simplicity makes it easy to spell and pronounce while remaining distinctive. Though uncommon for either gender, it has seen occasional use throughout the English-speaking world. Jory carries an independent, spirited quality that parents seeking an unconventional yet accessible name might find appealing. Its brevity allows it to pair well with longer surnames and middle names.

  7. Jiminy
    • Description:

      Jiminy is a masculine name that gained recognition primarily through the character Jiminy Cricket in Disney's 'Pinocchio.' Rather than having ancient roots, this whimsical name evolved from the euphemistic exclamation 'Jiminy Cricket!' (a substitute for 'Jesus Christ'). As a given name, Jiminy remains extremely rare, carrying a playful, storybook quality that evokes childlike wonder and imagination. Parents who choose this name may appreciate its literary connections and cheerful sound. The association with Jiminy Cricket—a conscience personified—gives the name connotations of moral guidance, wisdom, and friendly counsel. Its uniqueness ensures it stands out, though the strong fictional association may be its defining characteristic for most people.

  8. Joao
    • Origin:

      Portuguese variation of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      A Portuguese classic, typically spelled with a tilde over the A. Many members of the Portuguese royal family were named João, and today it’s associated with a number of Portuguese and Brazilian footballers.
  9. Jazz
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Musical choice that may be a short form of Jasmine or Jazlyn, or might stand on its own like this or as Jaz, the spelling used by tennis duo Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi.
  10. Jonael
    • Origin:

      Hispanic
    • Description:

      This is another example of a name propelled into usage by a celebrity. Prior to 2015, Jonael had only been given to more than 4 boys in a given year once; that year was 2004, when 6 boys in the US received the name. However, in 2015, Jonael Santiago won La Voz Kids, Telemundo's Spanish children's version of popular reality competition show The Voice. As a result, this name immediately entered the US Top 1000 at Number 919. We'll see if it continues to rise, or if this is just its fifteen minutes of fame.
  11. Journee
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Journey, English word name
    • Meaning:

      "travel or passage from one place to another"
    • Description:

      With Journey becoming increasingly popular, it's no surprise that this alternative spelling is not far behind. However, you may be surprised to learn that in recent years, the Journee spelling has actually passed the original spelling in popularity — Journee is currently in the Top 200. This word name may be appealing to parents attracted to the idea of a spiritual -- or even an actual -- voyage.
  12. Jaguar
    • Origin:

      Animal name
    • Description:

      Grrrr.
  13. Jojo
    • Description:

      Jojo is a playful, gender-neutral name often used as a masculine name in its own right or as a nickname for names like Joseph, Jonathan, Jordan, or Johannes. Its repetitive structure gives it a bouncy, cheerful quality that resonates across cultures. The name gained significant visibility through pop culture, including the manga/anime series 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' and various musicians and celebrities. With its approachable two-syllable pattern, Jojo conveys a youthful energy and friendly personality. Though relatively uncommon as a legal first name in most Western countries, it has gained traction in recent decades as parents increasingly choose names with an informal, affectionate quality. Its cross-cultural appeal makes it recognizable in many regions worldwide.

  14. Jericho
    • Origin:

      Biblical place-name
    • Description:

      The scope of biblical names has expanded to include sacred place-names, and this makes a plausible possibility, though it does have a masculine feel.
  15. Jordy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Jordan
    • Meaning:

      "flowing down"
    • Description:

      A cutesy short form of Jordan that's never been overly popular. Like Jordan, Jordy would work equally well for a girl or boy.
  16. Jordy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Jordan
    • Description:

      A cutesy short form of Jordan that's never been overly popular. Pro Bowl wide receiver Jordy Nelson is one famous bearer.
  17. Juju
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of names beginning with Ju-
    • Description:

      An informal nickname for names such as Julia, Juliette, and June.
  18. Joplin
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "son of Job"
    • Description:

      Used as a first name for a handful of girls every year, Joplin could be seen as a distant cousin of other -lin names, like Caitlin, Brooklyn and Braelynn. We think it works even better as a musical middle name possibility for fans of Janis... or Scott. Both great connections — albeit very different from one another.

  19. Jeter
    • Origin:

      French or German surname
    • Description:

      Jeter, which of course is used as a first name only because of Yankee star Derek, rhymes with Peter and may be derived from the French surname Jette, which was often bestowed on foundlings because it means "thrown out," or the German Jetter, an occupational name meaning "weeder." If your husband insists on Jeter, counter with Percival.
  20. Jera
    • Origin:

      Variation of Gera, Slovene
    • Meaning:

      "strength of a spear"
    • Description:

      The alternate spelling of Gera that led to Jerca, which currently ranks in the Slovene Top 100.