JOY  

Gender: F
Origin: Word name

Popularity in 2008: #548

From an older generation of word names, which also included Merry, Bliss, and Glory -- all of which exert personality pressure on a child. One interesting name that means the same thing: Chara.

Nicknames & Variations:
Joie, Jioya, Joya, Joice, Joi, Gioia, Gioya, Jioia, Joia, Joyann, Joye

Joy is being discussed in our message boards:

• Twin Girl Game
• Very long name game! 10 kids!
• my husband's NEW list
• Ordered Triples Game
• Victoria dillema - Please help

Read Nameberry blog posts about Joy:

• GOLDEN GIRL NAMES
• CHRISTMAS NAMES: Beyond Nicholas and Noel
• THE LOST BOYS’ NAMES OF 1880
• COOL CAT NAMES: Feline choices from Alonzo to Zizi
• TWIN NAMES: Individual Choices, Same Meaning