Girls Names Beginning With J

This once obscure name was propelled to fame by Britney Spears, and by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith in the 2000's. It skyrocketed into the US Top 10 for boys, but it also saw significant use for girls.

Not quite as unusual as it might seem, it first entered the popularity list in 1995, as a possible alternative to the very popular Kayla. In the Bible, an alternate spelling is Jaala.

Jaylen is a contemporary name that gained popularity in the late 20th century. Likely created as a variation of names beginning with 'Jay' (such as Jason or Jayson) combined with the popular '-len' suffix found in names like Allen or Glen. The name may also be influenced by the success of similar-sounding names like Jalen, which gained prominence after basketball player Jalen Rose (whose name was a combination of his father's and uncle's names). While originally more common for boys, Jaylen has emerged as a unisex name with feminine usage increasing since the 2000s. The name peaked in popularity for boys in the 2010s, ranking in the top 200 names in the United States. The versatile sound patterns and contemporary feel of Jaylen have contributed to its appeal across diverse communities. The name exemplifies modern naming trends that favor distinctive sounds with flexible gender associations.

This abbreviated form chosen by tennis greats Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi couldn't be jazzier.

Musical choice that may be a short form of Jasmine or Jazlyn, or might stand on its own like this or as Jaz, the spelling used by tennis duo Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi.

This adjective name is fun, lively, musical, and full of pizzaz. Jazzy can stand on its own, or act as a fun nickname for names like Jasmine or Jasper.

Relic of a past period of French favorites, out to pasture with Claudette and Paulette.

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.

Jeannette is a feminine name with French origins, functioning as a diminutive of Jeanne (the French form of Jane/Joan). Ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, the root of John meaning 'God is gracious,' Jeannette carries this blessing within its charming diminutive form.

Love the name wren but need something not quite so trendy? Consider Jedda. Jedda is derived from the word 'djida' meaning "wren" in the language of the Noongar people of Western Australia. Jedda was also the name of the eponymous heroine of the film "Jedda", which was one of the first Australian films to be shot in color and was the first to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival (it was nominated for the Palme d'Or). The perfect name for nature enthusiasts and film buffs alike.

Another version of Jelena, both Eastern European relatives of Helen.

Jemima, the name of a strong and beautiful Biblical daughter of Job, has long been among the chicest choices of aristocratic Brits, most recently ranking at #231 there in 2017. But despite its lovely sound and peaceful meaning, this attractive name hasn't ranked in the US Top 1000 since 1893, no doubt due to the problematic association with racial stereotyping, exemplified by the Aunt Jemima brand of pancakes.

Jenna was first noted on the 1980s TV series Dallas, later associated with one of the First Twin Daughters. Jenna is still being used, but no longer feels much fresher than Jennifer. You can also spell it Jena, but then many people will pronounce it jeen-a, as in Gina.

Jennifer is the Cornish variation of Guinevere, which ultimately derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar. It has been in use in the English-speaking world since the 18th century but came to prominence in the 20th. Playwright George Bernard Shaw chose Jennifer for the name of his leading lady in his play The Doctor’s Dilemma, which drew more attention to the name.

This common English surname originated as a patronymic for the son or daughter of a person named Jen, a medieval short form of John.

When Jennifer finally gave up her Number 1 place on the girls' popularity list, her crown was passed to Jessica, who reigned for not one but two decades. Jessica was the Number 1 name in both the mid-1980s and 1990s, never sounding quite as trendy as its predecessor, maybe because of its classic Shakespearean pedigree.

But what happens when Jeune grows vieille.

Probably due to its nursery rhyme association, Jill has the perpetual air of a rosy-cheeked tot -- even though it is one of the oldest names on the roster, a medieval variation on the Roman Julia. The pairing of Jack and Jill to connote a generic boy and girl goes back at least to the fifteenth century. But can knowing Jill's history keep it from sounding like a cute mid-twentieth century invention? There may be some possibility of Jill making it back up the hill.

Jillette is a feminine name that emerged as an elaborate extension of Jill, which itself originated as a medieval diminutive of Gillian or Juliana, ultimately derived from the Latin 'Julius.' The distinctive '-ette' suffix adds a French-inspired feminine touch, creating a more ornate alternative to the simpler Jill. While never achieving widespread popularity, Jillette has maintained occasional usage since the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States. The name gained some recognition through association with magician Penn Jillette, though as his surname rather than first name. Jillette offers an intriguing option for parents drawn to classic Jill but seeking something more distinctive and sophisticated, combining familiar sounds with an elegant, elaborate quality that feels both vintage and unique.

The name Jo still evokes the spunky image of the character in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Its literary status makes Jo one of the OG boyish nicknames for girls, ala Frankie, Billie, and Stevie. If you like that form, you can lengthen it to Joey.