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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Joy — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Joxiel|Joya
Latin◈ Unisex · 40% boy · 60% girl→ Stable

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Joy

◈

JOY · 1 syllables

Share Joy:
Compare with another name
Girl
#442
→ Stable
Girl
#442
Popularity score: 38
→ Stable
Peak
#395 in 2020
5yr
+12 ranks
Velocity
+12
Birth frequency
2.0 per 10,000 births
Boy
#4952
Popularity score: 14
↑↑ Surging
Peak
#4929 in 2022
5yr
+1112 ranks
Velocity
+1112
Birth frequency
5.6 per 1,000,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #4952 · Rising since 2020

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Latin boy names
Joy

Popularity score: 14  ·  SSA Rank: #4952

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #442 · Falling since 2020

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
Latin girl names
Joy

Popularity score: 38  ·  SSA Rank: #442

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
56
Higher than 56% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
→ Stable
+12 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · tm risk
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
65
1 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class
Name DNA
Virtue NameLatin OriginUnisex1-syllableEmotionalPositiveClassicModernSimpleMeaningfulTimeless
Character
infectious optimismradiant positivitygenuine warmthuplifting spiritcontagious happiness
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Joys

resilientauthenticengaginginnovativemelancholic
STRONG
High confidence

Joy is a Latin unisex name with steady SSA rankings. It ranked #442 in the US in 2024.

Trend:→ Stable · +12 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · tm risk
Popularity:#442 · niche
Joy at a Glance
Meaning:A feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Derived from the Latin 'gaudium,' meaning gladness or delight.
Language root:Latin · Old French
Peak rank:#395 in 2020
5yr change:+12 ranks
Sex usage:Girl #442 · Boy #4952
Notable bearers
Joy Division
Band name (cultural reference)
Joy Williams
Golfer
Joy Behar
Television host and comedian
Joy Reid
Television host and journalist
Joy Anna Duggar
Television personality
Similar Sound
Roy◈CoyBoyTroy◈Cloy
Similar Style
Hope◈GraceBliss◈FaithIrisEden◈
Works Well With
Sibling names that pair naturally with Joy
Hope◈GraceLilyMiles◈Everett◈Sage◈River◈Piper◈
You Might Also Like
Hope◈
English · #317
→ Stable
Grace
Latin · #40
→ Stable
Bliss◈
English · #2192
↓ Fading
Faith
English · #249
→ Stable
Iris
Greek · #71
→ Stable
Eden◈
Hebrew · #72
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Joy illustration
Name Intelligence
Joy · Overview
Summary

Joy is a Latin unisex name with steady SSA rankings. It ranked #442 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 47/100 → Stable

Strengths
Works for any sex
40% boy · 60% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Meaningful · Modern · Classic character
Joy carries a warm, gentle, playful quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Domain taken
joy.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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