When looking at “J” names, you’ll find a lot of really popular names from the last 100 years, like James, Jacob, and Johnathan, but there are also a number of more unique choices if you want to step outside the box when naming your new addition. And while a lot of “J” names have religious origins, there are options outside of this specification as well. Explore these options when deciding what to name your new baby.
Jace
Origin: American Meaning: Nickname Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jason, Jase Famous Namesakes: Country singer Jace Everett and professional golfer Jace Bugg Peak Popularity: Jace is a recently popular name that has spiked in recent years. It’s been in the top 100 names since 2012.
Jack
Origin: English Meaning: God is gracious Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jacques Famous Namesakes: Several popular fictional characters are named Jack, like Jack Dawson in Titanic and Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as real people. Author Jack Kerouac, actor Jack Nicholson, and musician Jack Avery are just a few with this popular name. Peak Popularity: Jack has been a popular name for over 100 years, though the 1930s saw its peak.
Jacob
Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Supplanter Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jakob, Jake Famous Namesakes: Actors Jacob Tremblay and Jake Gyllenhaal Peak Popularity: From 1999 to 2012, Jacob was the most popular name for boys in the United States.
Jacqueline
Origin: French Meaning: Supplanter Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jackie, Jaclyn Famous Namesakes: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is perhaps the most famous Jackie. Peak Popularity: Jacqueline was a popular name from the 1930s to the 1990s but has become less popular since then.
Jacques
Origin: FrenchMeaning: SupplanterAlternative Spellings & Variations: JackFamous Namesakes: Explorer Jacques Cousteau and chef Jacques TorresPeak Popularity: The year Jacques was the most popular was 1969.
Jade
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Green gemstoneFamous Namesakes: Little Mix singer Jade ThirlwallPeak Popularity: The name Jade peaked at No. 86 in 2002.
Jaden
Origin: AmericanMeaning: FireAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jadyn, JaidenFamous Namesakes: Singer Jaden Smith, the son of Will and Jada Pinkett SmithPeak Popularity: Jaden was in the top 100 names from 2002 to 2008.
James
Origin: HebrewMeaning: SupplanterAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jamie, JamesonFamous Namesakes: There are a ton of well-known people with the name James, including singer James Brown and actors Jimmy Stewart, James Dean, and James McAvoy.Peak Popularity: James has always been a popular name, but it was No. 1 from 1940 to 1952.
Jana
Origin: SlavicMeaning: God is graciousFamous Namesakes: Singer and actress Jana KramerPeak Popularity: The name Jana was popular in the 1950s through 1970s but has fallen off since then.
Jane
Origin: EnglishMeaning: God is graciousFamous Namesakes: There are a number of powerful women named Jane, including author Jane Austen, actress Jane Fonda, and anthropologist Jane Goodall.Peak Popularity: Jane was popular in the early 1900s before losing its shine. However, with the resurgence of retro names, it has grown in popularity again.
Janelle
Origin: AmericanMeaning: God is graciousAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jeanelle, JanelFamous Namesakes: Singer Janelle MonaePeak Popularity: Janelle saw its peak on the baby names list in 1979.
Janessa
Origin: AmericanMeaning: God is graciousAlternative Spellings & Variations: GenessaPeak Popularity: Janessa was popular in the early 2000s, with 2004 being its peak.
January
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Born in JanuaryFamous Namesakes: Actress January JonesPeak Popularity: January was a popular name in the 1970s.
Jasmine
Origin: Persian Meaning: Jasmine flower Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jasmin, Jas Famous Namesakes: Model Jasmine Tookes and actress Jasmine Guy Peak Popularity: Jasmine was a popular name for millennial babies, seeing its peak in the 1980s and 1990s.
Jeffrey
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Peace of a strangerAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jeffery, Jeff, Geoffrey, GeoffFamous Namesakes: Actors Jeff Bridges and Jeff Goldblum, singer Jeff BuckleyPeak Popularity: Though Jeffrey is still a popular name, it was most popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
Jennifer
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Fair phantomAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jenifer, Jenn, JenFamous Namesakes: There are plenty of famous Jennifers, like Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston, and Jennifer Garner.Peak Popularity: Jennifer was the No. 1 name for baby girls from 1970 to 1984.
Jericho
Origin: Greek Meaning: Moon city Famous Namesakes: WWE star Chris Jericho Peak Popularity: Jericho just entered the baby name charts a few years ago but is holding steady in popularity.
Jerome
Origin: Latin Meaning: Sacred name Famous Namesakes: Football player Jerome Bettis Peak Popularity: Jerome is an old-fashioned name that was most popular in the 1930s.
Jessica
Origin: Hebrew Meaning: God beholds Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jess, Jessie Famous Namesakes: Singer Jessica Simpson and actresses Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, and Jessica Chastain Peak Popularity: Jessica was in the top 10 baby names in the United States from 1976 to 2000.
Jessie
Origin: EnglishMeaning: God’s giftAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jessica, Jess, JesseFamous Namesakes: Singer Jessie JPeak Popularity: Jessie was a very popular name in the early 1900s but still remains a go-to name for baby girls.
Jillian
Origin: EnglishMeaning: YouthfulAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jill, GillianFamous Namesakes: First lady Dr. Jill Biden is one of the most famous Jills.Peak Popularity: Jillian was a popular name in the 1980s with 1982 being its peak.
Johnathan
Origin: HebrewMeaning: God has givenAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jonathan, John, Johnny, JonnyFamous Namesakes: Many famous people are named John, including Beatles singer John Lennon, former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, and actor John Cena.Peak Popularity: Johnathan’s most popular year was 1990, but the alternate spelling of Jonathan has long been more popular.
Jolene
Origin: AmericanMeaning: Beautiful birdAlternative Spellings & Variations: JoFamous Namesakes: One of Dolly Parton’s most famous songs is called “Jolene.“Peak Popularity: Jolene saw its popularity peak in 1974.
Jonah
Origin: HebrewMeaning: DoveFamous Namesakes: Actor Jonah HillPeak Popularity: Jonah has grown in popularity over the last several years, rising on the baby name chart each year.
Jordan
Origin: Hebrew Meaning: To flow down Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jordyn, Jordin Famous Namesakes: Comedian Jordan Peele, singer Jordin Sparks, and New Kid on the Block Jordan Knight Peak Popularity: Jordan as a name for baby boys and baby girls peaked in 1997 for both.
Jose
Origin: Spanish Meaning: God will increase Famous Namesakes: Singer Jose Feliciano Peak Popularity: Jose has been a popular name since the 1960s but its most popular year was 2004.
Joseph
Origin: HebrewMeaning: God will increaseAlternative Spellings & Variations: Joe, JoeyFamous Namesakes: President Joe Biden and actors Joe Pesci and Joseph Gordon-LevittPeak Popularity: Joseph was long one of the most popular names in the early 1900s and remains popular today.
Josephine
Origin: FrenchMeaning: God will increaseAlternative Spellings & Variations: Joey, JoFamous Namesakes: Model Josephine Skriver and actress Josephine LangfordPeak Popularity: Josephine was popular in the early 1900s but with the retro-name trend currently thriving, it’s becoming popular again.
Joshua
Origin: Hebrew Meaning: God is my salvation Alternative Spellings & Variations: Josh Famous Namesakes: Singer Josh Groban and actors Josh Hartnett and Joshua Jackson Peak Popularity: Joshua was one of the most popular names for baby boys in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s but it never quite hit No. 1.
Jude
Origin: EnglishMeaning: From JudeaFamous Namesakes: Actor Jude LawPeak Popularity: Jude’s growing in popularity and saw its biggest year in 2019.
Julian
Origin: Latin Meaning: Youthful Alternative Spellings & Variations: Julien, Julia Peak Popularity: The name Julian continues to become more popular. It saw its peak in 2019.
Juliet
Origin: EnglishMeaning: YouthfulAlternative Spellings & Variations: JulietteFamous Namesakes: Actresses Juliette Binoche and Juliette LewisPeak Popularity: Juliet has gone in and out of popularity with its biggest year being 2017.
June
Origin: LatinMeaning: Born in JuneFamous Namesakes: Singer June Carter CashPeak Popularity: June was popular in the 1920s but is seeing a new surge in popularity again.
Justin
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Just and fairFamous Namesakes: Singers Justin Timberlake and Justin Bieber, as well as actors Justin Long and Justin BarthaPeak Popularity: Justin was a popular name in the 1970s and 1980s with its biggest year being 1988.
