Jay Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Jay Name Meaning

Fact: The name Jay is inspired by the jaybird, known for its intelligence and vibrant blue feathers. The bird is a symbol of communication and resourcefulness.

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A Deep Dive

Jay Overview

Meaning

Jaybird, to rejoice

Gender

Boy

Origin

English, Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Latin name “Gaius,” meaning “to rejoice.”

Pronunciation

/dʒeɪ/

Popularity

Jay is a recognized name in many countries, including the USA, UK, and Canada. In the USA, Jay ranked 382nd for boys in 2023

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

3 letters

Numerology

9 (Humanitarian, Selfless, Creative)

Name Styles

Cute, Short, Modern, Cool

Associated Traits

Intelligent, charismatic, energetic, creative

Name Day

October 4th (Estonia)
A Deep Dive

Jay Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

James, Jason, Jaden, Jacob, Jasper, Jayden, Jayce, Jayson

Common Nicknames

JJ, Jay-Jay, Jaybird, Jayman

Diminutives

J, Jay-J, J-bird

Famous People

  • Jay Leno
    (American Comedian)
  • Jay-Z
    (American Musician)
  • Jay Chou
    (Taiwanese Musician)
  • Jay Hernandez
    (American Actor)
  • Jay Cutler
    (American Athlete)
  • Jay Wright
    (American Coach)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Jay Gatsby
    ("The Great Gatsby," Novel)
  • Jay Pritchett
    ("Modern Family," TV Series)
  • "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back"
    (Film)
  • "Jay's Journal"
    (Book)
  • Jay Sherman
    ("The Critic," TV Series)

Places

  • Jay Town
    (Florida, USA)
  • Jay Mountain
    (New York, USA)
  • Jay Cooke State Park
    (Minnesota, USA)
  • Jay Town
    (Vermont, USA)
  • Jay County
    (Indiana, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Jay?

The name Jay means “jaybird” and “to rejoice.” It characterizes individuals who are often energetic and full of life, bringing a sense of joy wherever they go.

What Is the Origin of The Name Jay?

Jay originated from the Latin name Gaius, which means “to rejoice.” Over time, it evolved and became a popular given name in English-speaking countries, sometimes inspired by the blue jay bird known for its vibrant plumage and lively nature.

Jay Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Jay in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#3762021#3672022#3822023
Top 3 Rankings#781960#801962#811961

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Jay

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023382
(-15 from 2022)
831
(-65 from 2022)
0.04538
2022367
(+9 from 2021)
896
(+33 from 2021)
0.04784
2021376
(+5 from 2020)
863
(+59 from 2020)
0.04606
2020381
(-7 from 2019)
804
(-41 from 2019)
0.04347
2019374
(+23 from 2018)
845
(+46 from 2018)
0.04397
2018397
(-15 from 2017)
799
(-57 from 2017)
0.04111
2017382
(+12 from 2016)
856
(+41 from 2016)
0.04325
2016394
(-1 from 2015)
815
(+11 from 2015)
0.04023
2015393
(-22 from 2014)
804
(-45 from 2014)
0.03933
2014371
(+18 from 2013)
849
(+82 from 2013)
0.04143
2013389
(-3 from 2012)
767
(-4 from 2012)
0.03796
2012386
(+11 from 2011)
771
(+53 from 2011)
0.03800
2011397
(+13 from 2010)
718
(+33 from 2010)
0.03534
2010410
(-2 from 2009)
685
(-34 from 2009)
0.03334
2009408
(-14 from 2008)
719
(-44 from 2008)
0.03390
2008394
(+2 from 2007)
763
(+11 from 2007)
0.03499
2007396
(-46 from 2006)
752
(-115 from 2006)
0.03395
2006350
(-2 from 2005)
867
(+15 from 2005)
0.03955
2005348
(-2 from 2004)
852
(+30 from 2004)
0.04005
2004346
(-2 from 2003)
822
(+12 from 2003)
0.03890
2003344
(-10 from 2002)
810
(-15 from 2002)
0.03855
2002334
(-21 from 2001)
825
(-63 from 2001)
0.03992
2001313
(+13 from 2000)
888
(+19 from 2000)
0.04293
2000326
No change from 1999
869
(+15 from 1999)
0.04161
1999326
No change from 1998
854
(+21 from 1998)
0.04188
1998326
(-34 from 1997)
833
(-113 from 1997)
0.04108
1997292
(-5 from 1996)
946
(+4 from 1996)
0.04735
1996287
(-12 from 1995)
942
(-69 from 1995)
0.04701
1995275
(-13 from 1994)
1011
(-89 from 1994)
0.05026
1994262
(-2 from 1993)
1100
(-5 from 1993)
0.05397
1993260
(-24 from 1992)
1105
(-114 from 1992)
0.05350
1992236
(-2 from 1991)
1219
(-49 from 1991)
0.05807
1991234
(-17 from 1990)
1268
(-135 from 1990)
0.05982
1990217
(-14 from 1989)
1403
(-38 from 1989)
0.06519
1989203
(-4 from 1988)
1441
(+75 from 1988)
0.06875
1988199
(-14 from 1987)
1366
(-121 from 1987)
0.06822
1987185
(-5 from 1986)
1487
(+4 from 1986)
0.07625
1986180
(-5 from 1985)
1483
(-40 from 1985)
0.07717
1985175
(-4 from 1984)
1523
(-31 from 1984)
0.07914
1984171
(-1 from 1983)
1554
(+12 from 1983)
0.08280
1983170
(-6 from 1982)
1542
(-126 from 1982)
0.08274
1982164
(-11 from 1981)
1668
(-119 from 1981)
0.08839
1981153
(-12 from 1980)
1787
(-197 from 1980)
0.09595
1980141
(-15 from 1979)
1984
(-162 from 1979)
0.10697
1979126
(-7 from 1978)
2146
(-4 from 1978)
0.11980
1978119
(+11 from 1977)
2150
(+53 from 1977)
0.12583
1977130
(-3 from 1976)
2097
(-5 from 1976)
0.12268
1976127
(-9 from 1975)
2102
(-72 from 1975)
0.12875
1975118
(-7 from 1974)
2174
(-186 from 1974)
0.13400
1974111
(+7 from 1973)
2360
(+144 from 1973)
0.14476
1973118
(-3 from 1972)
2216
(-228 from 1972)
0.13733
1972115
(-1 from 1971)
2444
(-421 from 1971)
0.14599
1971114
(-17 from 1970)
2865
(-551 from 1970)
0.15760
197097
(-2 from 1969)
3416
(+234 from 1969)
0.17934
196995
(-8 from 1968)
3182
(-246 from 1968)
0.17396
196887
No change from 1967
3428
(-184 from 1967)
0.19308
196787
(+4 from 1966)
3612
(+15 from 1966)
0.20299
196691
(-1 from 1965)
3597
(-345 from 1965)
0.19789
196590
(-6 from 1964)
3942
(-631 from 1964)
0.20806
196484
(+1 from 1963)
4573
(-144 from 1963)
0.22560
196385
(-5 from 1962)
4717
(-441 from 1962)
0.22847
196280
(+1 from 1961)
5158
(+39 from 1961)
0.24542
196181
(-3 from 1960)
5119
(-264 from 1960)
0.23732
196078
(+10 from 1959)
5383
(+444 from 1959)
0.24860
195988
(-2 from 1958)
4939
(-87 from 1958)
0.22797
195886
(+2 from 1957)
5026
(+395 from 1957)
0.23324
195788
(+4 from 1956)
4631
(+512 from 1956)
0.21157
195692
(+11 from 1955)
4119
(+722 from 1955)
0.19192
1955103
(-2 from 1954)
3397
(+25 from 1954)
0.16252
1954101
(-2 from 1953)
3372
(+137 from 1953)
0.16297
195399
(+7 from 1952)
3235
(+207 from 1952)
0.16157
1952106
(+10 from 1951)
3028
(+391 from 1951)
0.15345
1951116
(-1 from 1950)
2637
(+53 from 1950)
0.13794
1950115
(+3 from 1949)
2584
(+127 from 1949)
0.14207
1949118
(+5 from 1948)
2457
(+185 from 1948)
0.13635
1948123
(-4 from 1947)
2272
(-166 from 1947)
0.12744
1947119
(-4 from 1946)
2438
(+241 from 1946)
0.13125
1946115
(+10 from 1945)
2197
(+437 from 1945)
0.13312
1945125
(+11 from 1944)
1760
(+206 from 1944)
0.12833
1944136
(-2 from 1943)
1554
(-119 from 1943)
0.11187
1943134
(-1 from 1942)
1673
(+75 from 1942)
0.11501
1942133
(+4 from 1941)
1598
(+182 from 1941)
0.11347
1941137
(+2 from 1940)
1416
(+125 from 1940)
0.11284
1940139
(+3 from 1939)
1291
(+145 from 1939)
0.10884
1939142
(-4 from 1938)
1146
(-35 from 1938)
0.10112
1938138
(-2 from 1937)
1181
(+34 from 1937)
0.10392
1937136
(+4 from 1936)
1147
(+45 from 1936)
0.10488
1936140
(+7 from 1935)
1102
(+35 from 1935)
0.10354
1935147
(+10 from 1934)
1067
(+134 from 1934)
0.09976
1934157
(-6 from 1933)
933
(-16 from 1933)
0.08786
1933151
(+10 from 1932)
949
(+15 from 1932)
0.09302
1932161
(+5 from 1931)
934
(+67 from 1931)
0.08693
1931166
No change from 1930
867
(-24 from 1930)
0.08105
1930166
(+2 from 1929)
891
(+49 from 1929)
0.07888
1929168
(+17 from 1928)
842
(+74 from 1928)
0.07602
1928185
(-14 from 1927)
768
(-103 from 1927)
0.06730
1927171
(+4 from 1926)
871
(+44 from 1926)
0.07496
1926175
(+7 from 1925)
827
(+38 from 1925)
0.07220
1925182
(-12 from 1924)
789
(-65 from 1924)
0.06852
1924170
(+2 from 1923)
854
(+25 from 1923)
0.07305
1923172
(+8 from 1922)
829
(+49 from 1922)
0.07322
1922180
(-6 from 1921)
780
(-48 from 1921)
0.06932
1921174
(+27 from 1920)
828
(+162 from 1920)
0.07276
1920201
(-4 from 1919)
666
(+29 from 1919)
0.06050
1919197
(-12 from 1918)
637
(-69 from 1918)
0.06274
1918185
(+3 from 1917)
706
(+63 from 1917)
0.06732
1917188
(-4 from 1916)
643
(+3 from 1916)
0.06703
1916184
(+16 from 1915)
640
(+103 from 1915)
0.06932
1915200
(+13 from 1914)
537
(+158 from 1914)
0.06096
1914213
(-21 from 1913)
379
(+30 from 1913)
0.05546
1913192
(-9 from 1912)
349
(+31 from 1912)
0.06508
1912183
(+46 from 1911)
318
(+192 from 1911)
0.07044
1911229
(-16 from 1910)
126
(+6 from 1910)
0.05220
1910213
(+4 from 1909)
120
(+22 from 1909)
0.05755
1909217
(+1 from 1908)
98
(+9 from 1908)
0.05541
1908218
(-8 from 1907)
89
(-2 from 1907)
0.05350
1907210
(-7 from 1906)
91
(+4 from 1906)
0.05738
1906203
(-10 from 1905)
87
(-5 from 1905)
0.06039
1905193
(-4 from 1904)
92
(-3 from 1904)
0.06423
1904189
(+4 from 1903)
95
(+13 from 1903)
0.06859
1903193
(-5 from 1902)
82
(-7 from 1902)
0.06341
1902188
(-28 from 1901)
89
(-7 from 1901)
0.06704
1901160
(+29 from 1900)
96
(-11 from 1900)
0.08305
1900189
(+19 from 1899)
107
(+44 from 1899)
0.06600
1899208
(-24 from 1898)
63
(-22 from 1898)
0.05469
1898184
(+2 from 1897)
85
(+3 from 1897)
0.06435
1897186
(+16 from 1896)
82
(+4 from 1896)
0.06725
1896202
(-31 from 1895)
78
(-13 from 1895)
0.06043
1895171
(-11 from 1894)
91
(-5 from 1894)
0.07186
1894160
(-18 from 1893)
96
(-9 from 1893)
0.07687
1893142
(+3 from 1892)
105
(-6 from 1892)
0.08675
1892145
(-8 from 1891)
111
(+12 from 1891)
0.08444
1891137
(-4 from 1890)
99
(-9 from 1890)
0.09061
1890133
(+6 from 1889)
108
(+4 from 1889)
0.09023
1889139
(-10 from 1888)
104
(-18 from 1888)
0.08737
1888129
(-5 from 1887)
122
(+16 from 1887)
0.09391
1887124
(+2 from 1886)
106
(-1 from 1886)
0.09697
1886126
(+23 from 1885)
107
(+16 from 1885)
0.08988
1885149
(-19 from 1884)
91
(-19 from 1884)
0.07849
1884130
(-2 from 1883)
110
(+13 from 1883)
0.08962
1883128
(+42 from 1882)
97
(+17 from 1882)
0.08624
1882170
(-47 from 1881)
80
(-16 from 1881)
0.06556
1881123
(+3 from 1880)
96
(-7 from 1880)
0.08866
1880126
First SSA data recorded
103
First SSA data recorded
0.08699

American States Popularity Rankings for Jay

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#3082021#3092022#3262023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3602021#3732022#3752023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2712021#2702022#2452023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3542021#3662022#3922023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#4092021#3882022#4132023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#4012021#3862022#3552023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#4432021#3662022#3852023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#4992021#4412022#3172023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#3882021#3702022#5302023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2942021#4162022#4292023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#3022021#3252022#3172023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3932021#3812022#2892023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#3222021#3522022#2992023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#3162021#5492022#4272023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#3122021#1872022#3642023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#4302021#3572022#3602023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#2232021#1872022#1692023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5222021#3392022#4432023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#6432021#6052022#5872023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4222020#4742021#3052022

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#4792021#7822022#5662023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#4512021#2862022#4082023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#4412021#3702022#4322023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#4922021#4212022#6272023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#4342021#6102022#3502023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4012019#2802020#4612022

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3702021#6412022#5102023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#4562020#5502021#4302022

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#4062021#4792022#4522023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#4022021#3992022#5982023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#5232021#3832022#4092023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3922021#3852022#3732023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2932021#3312022#2912023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4562021#3722022#6172023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1822001#3492014#3582023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#5662019#3432020#5012022

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1692001#2242014#2572019

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2502006#2492011#2202012

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2031999#2582018#2772021

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5742015#4832020#3292021

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3982018#4052020#2652022

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2272000#2082014#2602017

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2472004#2892017#2702019

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2001992#1991993#1952003

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1701994#1891997#1892001

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1841999#2072001#2062005

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3642020#4242021#3502022

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1221994#1532005#1132022

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1201987#1481990#1251993

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1031984#1111986#1211990

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1011989#1851990#1912001

Popularity Rankings for Jay in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#902001#1002007#742010

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#981994#991995#961996

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1922021#1772022#2492023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#1912021#1912022#2412023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#2932019#2192021#2432023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3852021#4082022#2382023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2572021#2512022#2432023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#3252020#2722021#3202022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#4442021#2902022#3552023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3392019#3812020#4772021

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#4252020#5502021#7592022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#4512014#4902015#4992018

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#5952015#6632016

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Jay a Name for Boys or Girls?

Jay is a versatile name commonly used for boys. Its short and catchy sound makes it an appealing choice for many parents.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Jay

Jay in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Jay Leno (Comedian, born 1950): An American comedian who hosted "The Tonight Show" for many years.
  • Jay-Z (Musician, born 1969): An influential American rapper and businessman with numerous hit albums.
  • Jay Chou (Musician, born 1979): A Taiwanese singer-songwriter known for blending various musical genres.
  • Jay Hernandez (Actor, born 1978): An American actor who starred in "Suicide Squad" and "Magnum P.I."
  • Jay Cutler (Athlete, born 1983): A former American football quarterback who played in the NFL.
  • Jay Wright (Coach, born 1961): An American basketball coach who led Villanova to two NCAA championships.
  • Jay Rock (Musician, born 1986): An American rapper and songwriter associated with Top Dawg Entertainment.
  • Jay Inslee (Politician, born 1951): An American politician serving as the governor of Washington state.
  • Jay Gatsby ("The Great Gatsby," 1925 Novel): The mysterious and wealthy protagonist who throws lavish parties in hopes of reuniting with his lost love, Daisy Buchanan.
  • Jay Pritchett ("Modern Family," 2009 TV Series): The patriarch of the Pritchett family, known for his traditional views and dry sense of humor.
  • "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" (2001 Film): One half of the comedic duo who embark on a cross-country mission to stop a movie being made about their comic book alter-egos.
  • "Jay's Journal" (1979 Book): A controversial book that claims to be the real-life diary of a teenager involved in Satanism and drug abuse.
  • Jay Sherman ("The Critic," 1994 TV Series): A film critic who reviews terrible movies and often finds himself in comedic predicaments.
  • Jay ("Descendants," 2015 TV Series): The son of Jafar who attends Auradon Prep and embarks on various adventures.
  • Jay Town (Florida, USA): A small town in the northwestern part of Florida, situated in Santa Rosa County.
  • Jay Mountain (New York, USA): A peak in the Adirondack Mountains, offering hiking trails and scenic views.
  • Jay Cooke State Park (Minnesota, USA): A state park near Duluth with dramatic landscapes, including rocky gorges and waterfalls.
  • Jay Town (Vermont, USA): A rural community in Orleans County, located near the Canadian border.
  • Jay County (Indiana, USA): A county in the state of Indiana, with Portland as its county seat.
  • Jay Peak Resort (Vermont, USA): A ski resort and year-round recreational area in the Green Mountains.

Similar Names to Jay

Sibling Names for Jay