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Boy Dog Names That Start With J

  1. Jeffrey

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Geoffrey

    • Meaning:

      "pledge of peace"

    • Description:

      The mostly Americanized version of Geoffrey was a trendy mid-century hit, with nickname Jeff the epitome of cool. Jeffrey entered the pop list in 1934 and was a Top 20 name from the mid-fifties to 1978.
  2. Julius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "youthful, downy-bearded"

    • Description:

      Immortal through its association with the ancient Caesar (it was his clan name), Julius may still lag behind Julian, but is definitely starting to make a comeback, and in fact feels more cutting edge, in line with the current trend for Latin -us endings.
  3. Joey

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Joseph

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah increases"

    • Description:

      This nickname for popular and traditional Joseph has a long history of being used as a given name all on its own. Nonetheless, everyone will always assume that Joey is short for the longer form. It might be nice for a potential son to have the option of a more professional and classic name to fall back on.
  4. Jay

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "jaybird"

    • Description:

      Though this feels like a modern invention, Jay has been in use for centuries. Early Jays often were named in honor of founding father John Jay, whose surname derived from the jaybird. A popular mid-century choice, Jay was in the Top 100 from 1956 to 1970. In the last couple of decades he was replaced by such more elaborate forms as Jayden, Jaylen, and Jayce. But Jay could make a comeback in tandem with cousins May, Kay, Fay, and Ray.
  5. Jason

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "to heal"

    • Description:

      Jason, the Number 3 name for the entire decade of the 1970s -- thus the title of our original baby-naming book, Beyond Jennifer & Jason -- is more likely to be dad's name now than baby's, but it's still a widely used name.
  6. Jonty

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Jonathan

    • Meaning:

      "gift of Jehovah"

    • Description:

      Jaunty, to say the least, Jonty might be an option if Johnny feels too old school. It has been noticed most often on the playing fields, as in U.K. rugby player Jonty Parkin (born Jonathan) and South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes (Jonathon).
  7. Jimmy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of James

    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Jenson and Danish surname

    • Meaning:

      "son of Jens"

    • Description:

      A variation of Jenson, which is actually more popular than the original in the United States. This spelling also holds the distinction of being the most common surname in Denmark.
  9. Jedidiah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "beloved of the Lord"

    • Description:

      Jedidiah, an Old Testament name with a touch of Gunsmoke-era western panache, is right in line to be revived along with the other biblical -iah names.
  10. Juniper

    • Origin:

      English from Latin tree name

    • Meaning:

      "young"

    • Description:

      Juniper is a nature name that we really like. While it's trendiest for girls -- about 2500 baby girls were named Juniper in 2022 versus 34 baby boys -- the most notable Juniper in history was the saint Brother Juniper, a follower of Saint Francis renowned for his generosity. Blessed Junipero Serra, who founded the first of the California Missions, took his name from the earlier Saint Juniper.
  11. Jerome

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "sacred name"

    • Description:

      Jerome has a bespectacled, serious, studious image, just like its namesake saint, who was a brilliant scholar. St. Jerome is the patron saint of students, librarians, and archaeologists.
  12. Jethro

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "excellence"

    • Description:

      Jethro, though the biblical father-in-law of Moses, has suffered for a long time from a Beverly Hillbilly image, but some really adventurous parents might consider updating and urbanizing it and transitioning it into the hip o-ending category.
  13. Jaime

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of James

    • Description:

      A Hispanic classic that has lost some momentum in recent years. It could be misunderstood by some as Jamie -- which is how it's pronounced on Game of Thrones.
  14. Joe

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Joseph

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah increases"

    • Description:

      Joe is still the ultimate good-guy name, not at all diminished by its longevity or popularity or its everyman rep as Regular Joe, Cowboy Joe, G.I. Joe, Joe Exotic, Joe Blow, Joe Millionaire, Average Joe — and now President Joe (Biden).
  15. Jericho

    • Origin:

      Biblical place-name

    • Description:

      A biblical place name with trumpeting verve and strength.
  16. Jake

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, diminutive of Jacob

    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"

    • Description:

      This unpretentious, accessible, and optimistic ("everything's jake" -- meaning OK) short form of the top name Jacob is itself widely used, though more parents these days are opting for the full name Jacob. Jake (born Jacob) Gyllenhall is its most prominent current bearer.
  17. Joss

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Jocelin

    • Meaning:

      "the merry one"

    • Description:

      Joss hadn't been heard much in this country before the emergence of Joss (born Joseph) Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, et al; it would make a catchy middle name choice. Female British singer Joss Stone was born Jocelyn.
  18. Jaden

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God has heard"

    • Description:

      While Jadon is the authentic biblical name, Jaden is by far the more popular spelling, first noticed when Will and Jada Pinkett Smith used it for their now grown (and famous) son. It has since swept the country for both sexes, with a wide variety of spellings and rhyming cousins.
  19. Josh

    • Description:

      Josh is a friendly, approachable masculine name that originated as a shortened form of Joshua, which comes from Hebrew meaning 'God is salvation.' While Joshua has biblical significance as the successor to Moses, Josh emerged as a standalone name in the 20th century, embodying a casual, down-to-earth quality. It gained significant popularity in the 1970s through the 1990s in the United States, ranking consistently in the top 100 names. Josh conveys an accessible, unpretentious character with its brief, one-syllable structure. The name suggests a straightforward, trustworthy personality and has maintained steady usage without seeming dated or trendy. Josh represents a perfect balance of familiarity and timelessness in contemporary naming practices.

  20. Javier

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Xavier, Basque

    • Meaning:

      "new house"

    • Description:

      One of the most popular Spanish names for boys in the US, Javier is embodied for many Americans in the magnetic persona of Spanish-born Oscar-nominated actor Javier Bardem.

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