`J´ Names That I Like - Girls & Boys

Every other little kid's name in 1957 but few Jameses are called Jimmy today; they're more often James or Jamie.

From obscure male biblical boy's name to unisex favorite, Jadon/Jaden, in all its variations, has had a meteoric rise in popularity, building on Jade and Jada, plus the trendy en ending.

A feminization used more before Jordan joined the girls' camp.

Could run into pronunciation confusion.

Long used in Spanish-speaking countries, this strong but feminine name was jump-started here by the rise of actress Jada Pinkett Smith. The Italian Giada is a popular variation. In the Bible, the name Jada was borne by a man and has a different root and meaning: It's Hebrew and means "he knows".

A variation of Jameson. Both names have climbed in popularity in recent years, though Jameson remains the preferred spelling.

The line should end with Junior Soprano. While most would expect this to be a nickname rather than an actual given name, Junior has always ranked in the US Top 1000, hitting its peak in 1925 at Number 116.

Together with the more common (in France) Jeannine spelling, this feminine form of Jean was most popular in the 1930s in its home country, and in the 1960s in the US. It's fallen off the Top 1000 list since, but perhaps cute retro nickname Jeannie could tempt some vintage-loving parents back.

The name of the third U.S. President sounds, like Harrison and Jackson, more modern and stylish now than its root name. Used as a first name long before our surname-crazed era, Jefferson was most famously used as a first name by the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, which may justifiably make you not want to use it. Jefferson is the middle name of another Prez, William Clinton.

Jackie Kennedy gave this name a lot of style, but it doesn't seem destined for a comeback the way brother name Jack has. Jackie and Jacqueline both peaked in 1961.

For girls, the most popular form of a very popular name. See also Jaidyn, Jaiden, and Jaden.

Though every Spanish student knows that the male classic is pronounced HY-me, for girls this is a straight homonym for Jamie, a favorite ambisexual 1970s nickname name. Another way to think of it is as a variation of the French "J'aime" (meaning I love).

A Jada alternative that has lost ground this decade after peaking around 2010.

Pervasive in all Spanish-speaking cultures, Juanita, like Juana, has not emigrated.

Joakim is a masculine name with Hebrew origins, representing a Scandinavian and Eastern European form of Joachim. Derived from the Hebrew name Yehoyakim, meaning 'established by God' or 'God will raise,' Joakim carries strong religious and historical significance. Particularly popular in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and parts of Eastern Europe, the name has maintained steady usage throughout centuries. Joakim became internationally recognized partly through notable bearers including basketball player Joakim Noah and various European athletes and artists. The name blends biblical heritage with a contemporary Scandinavian feel, offering a distinctive yet accessible choice. While not among the most common names in English-speaking countries, Joakim provides an international alternative with both cultural depth and modern appeal.

This spelling of the traditional nickname for John is a bit more feminine than Johnny, based on the fashion at the turn of the 20th century to use boyish diminutives ending in -ie for girls.

A possible, and not too successful, attempt to individualize Jocelyn or formalize Jacey.

Jonny is a masculine name primarily functioning as a diminutive or informal version of Jonathan, which derives from the Hebrew name "Yehonatan" meaning "gift of Jehovah" or "God has given." Jonny offers a friendlier, more approachable alternative to the more formal Jonathan. While sometimes used as a standalone name on birth certificates, it's more commonly a nickname. The spelling with two 'n's distinguishes it slightly from the variation Johnny. This name carries a youthful, casual energy and has been moderately popular in English-speaking countries. Jonny has associations with relaxed, down-to-earth personalities and has been used for various characters in popular culture and sports figures.

See JASMINE.