By Brynn McKeon · Updated September 2026
Across 14 pages
of 14
Diminutive of Joan, English
"God is gracious"
Although Joan was the more popular name in the 20th century, it's the nickname Joanie that is coming back in style, in tune with the likes of Bonnie, Margot, and Billie, or Sadie, Elsie, and Libby. A…
English place name
"Geirr's island"
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…
Jori is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Finnish, it's a variant of Jorma or Jorge, while in Hebrew it can be a feminine form of Jory or a variant of Yori, meaning 'he teaches.' It…
Diminutive of Jane
Janet started as a pet form of Jane but has long been used independently. Jane is a feminine form of John, which derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan. Janet can also be considered a variation of…
French variation of Joy
Pronounced as the English word joy, rather than as the French phrase joie de vivre, Joie might produce more complications than joy.
Spanish, feminine variation of Juan
Pervasive in all Spanish-speaking cultures, Juanita, like Juana, has not emigrated.
Variation of Jedidiah, Hebrew
"beloved of the Lord"
Blink and you’ll miss that the first I in Jedidiah was swapped for an E.
Spanish, Portuguese
"hyacinth"
Less familiar than the feminine Jacinta. Jacinto is a sweet floral boy name that was most popular in early 20th century Spain and Brazil.
English variation of Gervase, meaning unknown
Jarvis, one of the original two-syllable nouveau boys' choices, is a saint's name with a certain retro charm and a nice quirky feel. Though Jarvis peaked in the late 1880s, he is beginning to sound…
Hebrew
"supplanter"
James for a girl? Believe it or not, this is one of the boy names for girls" gaining a lot of attention these days, since Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds shocked the world by choosing it for their…
English, diminutive of James
Peaked in the 1940s, but still an amiable classic, a la Joe and Tom -- though rarely used on its own.
English, Latin
"June"
Juna, a variation of the newly stylish month name June, goddess name Juno, or literary Djuna, is among the fresher-feeling girl names starting with J . While Juna has never been given to more than 50…
Latin
"godfather"
Jupiter's partner Juno has entered the mainstream, so it's possible that her divine mate could follow. But not necessarily for boys — Jupiter is currently mostly female in the US, thanks to its…
French or German surname
"throw away; foundling; jet"
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…
Word name
Jazz as a full name is used slightly more often for boys than girls and has a distinctive, well, jazzy feel. Jazz is also occasionally used as a nickname for Jasper, much more often for Jasmine or…
Diminutive of Jeffrey, Jefferson
"pledge of peace"
The ultimate dad name.
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…
French feminine variation of Justin
"fair, righteous"
Justine is a French name that's never reached the popularity we think it deserves. Like its far-more-common brother Justin, Justine is sleek, and sophisticated, but still user-friendly. Justine has…
English from Latin tree name
"young"
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…
"Greece"
A son of Noah in the Bible who is also thought to be an ancestor of the Greek people and the guardian angel of Greece. An alternative to Jason or Jayden, perhaps.
