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Dog Names That Start With J

  1. Jenson
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "son of Jens"
    • Description:

      The surname name Jenson is in the British Top 100 thanks to champion race car driver Jenson Button. Jenson might be an honorific for an ancestral John, the English form of Jens or Johannes, or even Jen.
  2. Jean
    • Origin:

      French variation of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      One of the most enduring French names, this form of John has been borne by philosophers (Rousseau and Sartre), artists (Millet, Arp) and fashion designers (Gaultier) alike. Often used in a double name with the likes of Pierre, Paul, and Luc, it is a classic in its native country,
  3. Jesus
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "the Lord is salvation"
    • Description:

      Jesus -- pronounced hay-SOOS -- is used exclusively and extensively among Spanish speakers, though JEE-zus as in the first name of Christ is never used in the Anglophone world. Jesus Quintana was a character in The Big Lebowski and Jesus Velasquez appeared on True Blood.
  4. Jana
    • Origin:

      International feminine variation of Jan
    • Description:

      A sweet name with many cross-cultural ties: it's an equivalent of Jane in languages including Czech, Slovak, Dutch, German, Slovene, Catalan, Estonian, and Latvian.
  5. Jamir
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "beauty + prince, ruler"
    • Description:

      Jamir is a modern invention, created by blending together traditional Arabic names Jamal and Amir, giving the meaning "beautiful ruler". It has replaced the once popular Jamar in the US Top 1000, and currently sits in the Top 600.
  6. Julio
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Julius
    • Meaning:

      "youthful: downy-bearded; sky father"
    • Description:

      What with Paul Simon's classic lyric about Julio down by the schoolyard and several distinguished bearers, this livelier Spanish version of Julius is completely familiar to the non-Hispanic community and would make a great choice for a bicultural family. Popular in Brazil, it also ranks in the US Top 600 and given to more than 500 boys each year. NFL Atlanta Falcons star Julio Jones bears this name.
  7. Jen
    • Description:

      Jen is a short, crisp feminine name that originated primarily as a diminutive of Jennifer, though it can also be a nickname for names like Jenna, Jenny, or Genevieve. The root name Jennifer comes from the Welsh 'Gwenhwyfar,' meaning 'white wave' or 'fair spirit.' Jen gained independent usage during the 1970s and 1980s when Jennifer was at peak popularity, with some parents choosing to put just 'Jen' on the birth certificate. Its simplicity and directness appeal to those preferring unpretentious, straightforward names. While Jen's popularity as a stand-alone name has declined since the 1990s, it maintains appeal for its brevity and friendly, approachable quality. The name carries a casual confidence and remains recognizable without being overly common as a formal name.
  8. Jagger
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "carter"
    • Description:

      Jagger is a swaggering Rolling Stone of a name that's been picked up by a number of fellow celebs, including Lindsay Davenport and Brett Scallions--while Soleil Moon Frye pulled a gender switch when she bestowed it on her daughter. It's edgy with a touch of danger.
  9. Jedediah
    • Origin:

      Variation of Jedidiah, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "beloved of the Lord"
    • Description:

      Blink and you’ll miss that the first I in Jedidiah was swapped for an E.
  10. Journey
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "passage from one place to another"
    • Description:

      One of the new word names, appealing to parents attracted to the idea of a spiritual -- or even an actual -- voyage. The Journee spelling is also being used. Unisex alert: Jenna Jameson used Journey for one of her twin boys, as did the Black Eyed Peas rock musician known as Taboo.
  11. Jones
    • Origin:

      English surname derived from John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      This quintessentially common last name makes a distinctive if first, given to more than 230 babies in the US in the most recent year counted. It has doubled in use over the last decade.
  12. Jon
    • Origin:

      Variation of John or Jonathan
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious; or gift of Jehovah"
    • Description:

      Streamlined version of the classic boys' names, sometimes a short form of Jonathan, which is in fact an entirely different name from John attached to a different Biblical personage. Jon feels more modern than the traditional John, but some may find it an overly slight variation on an already slim name. Jon Snow is a popular character on HBO's Game of Thrones.
  13. Jolene
    • Origin:

      Invented name
    • Description:

      While for some, it may feel stuck in the shadow of the Dolly Parton song, Jolene re-entered the charts in 2010 and has seen increased use in recent years, ranking in the US Top 700 in the latest count. Tuneful and spirited, it combines the 'Jo' sound of Joanne, Josephine, and similar, with the lene suffix. As such, it could be said to share their meanings, "God is gracious" and "Jehovah increases".
  14. Jove
    • Origin:

      Mythological name
    • Description:

      Another name for Jupiter, king of the Roman gods, this jovial name is eminently ready for modern use. Feminine variations include Jovita and Jovie.
  15. Josette
    • Origin:

      French,pet form of Josephine, feminine of Joseph, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah increases"
    • Description:

      One of the group of French 'ette'-ending names that emigrated to this country in the last century, though never as popular as some others, such as Claudette and Paulette--it did have a little six-year flurry here between 1967 and 1973. Josette may be feminine and flirty, but, given the choice, most parents today would prefer Josephine.
  16. Jim
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of James
    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"
    • Description:

      Peaked in the 1940s, but still an amiable classic, a la Joe and Tom -- though rarely used on its own.
  17. 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.
  18. Jem
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of James or Jeremiah
    • Description:

      This name of the ten-year-old boy in the much loved and acclaimed modern classic To Kill a Mockingbird could find favor along with that of the character's sister, Scout.
  19. Jeanne
    • Origin:

      French variation of Jean
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Pronounced just like Jean in the English-speaking world, but as the more unusual zhahn in France, this has sailed away with the first wave of French favorites: Denise, Michelle, et soeurs.
  20. Judson
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of Jordan"
    • Description:

      Judson remained in the US Top 1000 every year until it dropped off in 1987. In 2014, the named rejoined the list. With Hudson gaining in popularity, Judson—a possible alternative to Justin—could follow its path.

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