Joy: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: The name Joy is often associated with the Christmas season, symbolizing the joy and happiness of the holiday spirit. It’s a popular name for girls born in December.

Joy Overview

Meaning

Great pleasure, happiness, delight

Gender

Girl

Origin

English, Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Old French word “joie”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/dʒɔɪ/

Popularity

Joy is cherished in many English-speaking countries and has consistently been a favored choice. In the USA, Joy was ranked as the 453rd most popular name for girls in 2023.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

3 letters

Numerology

5 (Visionary, Expansive, Adventurous)

Name Styles

Cool, Short, Aesthetic

Associated Traits

Cheerful, empathetic, adventurous, resilient

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Joy is often associated with positive emotions and is mentioned in the Bible as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, symbolizing happiness and contentment

Name Day

August 18th (Latvia), February 18th (Latvia)

Joy Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Joyce, Joya, Joi, Joie, Jocelyn

Common Nicknames

Jo, Jojo, Jay, JJ, J

Diminutives

Joy-Joy, Joya, Joyie

Famous People

Joy Adamson
(Kenyan Naturalist)
Joy Mangano
(American Inventor)
Joy Davidman
(American Author)
Joy Behar
(American Comedian)
Joy Bryant
(American Actress)
Joy Division
(English Band)
Joy Harmon
(American Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Joy
("Inside Out," Film)
Joy Mangano
("Joy," Film)
Joy Turner
("My Name Is Earl," TV Series)
Joy Summers
("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," TV Series)
"Joyful Noise"
(Film)

Places

Mount Joy Township
(Pennsylvania, USA)
Mount Joy
(Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Joy?

The name Joy means happiness and delight. It conveys a bright and cheerful personality, embodying positivity and a zest for life.

What Is the Origin of The Name Joy?

The name Joy originates from the Middle English word “joye,” which itself comes from the Old French “joie.” This term ultimately traces back to the Latin word “gaudium,” meaning joy or happiness, reflecting its linguistic journey through several languages.

Joy Name Popularity

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

United States	#4632022	#4532023
Top 3 Rankings	#1091974	#1231975	#1321976

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Joy

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	453 (+10 from 2022)	676 (-7 from 2022)	0.03865
2022	463 (-56 from 2021)	683 (-96 from 2021)	0.03809
2021	407 (-11 from 2020)	779 (-7 from 2020)	0.04348
2020	396 (-53 from 2019)	786 (-131 from 2019)	0.04446
2019	343 (+10 from 2018)	917 (+16 from 2018)	0.04998
2018	353 (-19 from 2017)	901 (-67 from 2017)	0.04845
2017	334 (+17 from 2016)	968 (+14 from 2016)	0.05124
2016	351 (+79 from 2015)	954 (+221 from 2015)	0.04928
2015	430 (+27 from 2014)	733 (+35 from 2014)	0.03757
2014	457 (+15 from 2013)	698 (+48 from 2013)	0.03568
2013	472 (+22 from 2012)	650 (+28 from 2012)	0.03372
2012	494 (+8 from 2011)	622 (+37 from 2011)	0.03207
2011	502 (-24 from 2010)	585 (-45 from 2010)	0.03019
2010	478 (+38 from 2009)	630 (+43 from 2009)	0.03213
2009	516 (+19 from 2008)	587 (+12 from 2008)	0.02899
2008	535 (-15 from 2007)	575 (-29 from 2007)	0.02761
2007	520 (-18 from 2006)	604 (-3 from 2006)	0.02854
2006	502 (+8 from 2005)	607 (+23 from 2005)	0.02904
2005	510 (-32 from 2004)	584 (-31 from 2004)	0.02877
2004	478 (+16 from 2003)	615 (+32 from 2003)	0.03048
2003	494 (-18 from 2002)	583 (-7 from 2002)	0.02906
2002	476 (+4 from 2001)	590 (+10 from 2001)	0.02987
2001	480 (-23 from 2000)	580 (-27 from 2000)	0.02928
2000	457 (-9 from 1999)	607 (+11 from 1999)	0.03041
1999	448 (-6 from 1998)	596 (+13 from 1998)	0.03061
1998	442 (-4 from 1997)	583 (+3 from 1997)	0.03007
1997	438 (-4 from 1996)	580 (-7 from 1996)	0.03038
1996	434 No change from 1995	587 (-5 from 1995)	0.03062
1995	434 (-6 from 1994)	592 (+3 from 1994)	0.03081
1994	428 (-29 from 1993)	589 (-43 from 1993)	0.03021
1993	399 (+10 from 1992)	632 (+16 from 1992)	0.03206
1992	409 (-47 from 1991)	616 (-94 from 1991)	0.03073
1991	362 (+13 from 1990)	710 (+13 from 1990)	0.03492
1990	375 (-58 from 1989)	697 (-105 from 1989)	0.03393
1989	317 (-22 from 1988)	802 (-35 from 1988)	0.04026
1988	295 (-9 from 1987)	837 (-25 from 1987)	0.04352
1987	286 (-37 from 1986)	862 (-174 from 1986)	0.04599
1986	249 (-19 from 1985)	1036 (-87 from 1985)	0.05614
1985	230 (-6 from 1984)	1123 (-32 from 1984)	0.06082
1984	224 (-13 from 1983)	1155 (-36 from 1983)	0.06405
1983	211 (-8 from 1982)	1191 (-144 from 1982)	0.06655
1982	203 (-33 from 1981)	1335 (-287 from 1981)	0.07358
1981	170 (-5 from 1980)	1622 (-95 from 1980)	0.09069
1980	165 (-11 from 1979)	1717 (-104 from 1979)	0.09643
1979	154 (-15 from 1978)	1821 (-125 from 1978)	0.10567
1978	139 (-3 from 1977)	1946 (-154 from 1977)	0.11838
1977	136 (-4 from 1976)	2100 (+24 from 1976)	0.12766
1976	132 (-9 from 1975)	2076 (-230 from 1975)	0.13207
1975	123 (-14 from 1974)	2306 (-451 from 1974)	0.14774
1974	109 (+53 from 1973)	2757 (+1060 from 1973)	0.17602
1973	162 (-2 from 1972)	1697 (-120 from 1972)	0.10919
1972	160 (+9 from 1971)	1817 (-9 from 1971)	0.11268
1971	169 (+15 from 1970)	1826 (+53 from 1970)	0.10419
1970	184 (+3 from 1969)	1773 (+82 from 1969)	0.09679
1969	187 (-17 from 1968)	1691 (-213 from 1968)	0.09593
1968	170 (-1 from 1967)	1904 (+18 from 1967)	0.11137
1967	169 (-4 from 1966)	1886 (-204 from 1966)	0.10985
1966	165 (+12 from 1965)	2090 (+115 from 1965)	0.11904
1965	177 (-2 from 1964)	1975 (-244 from 1964)	0.10807
1964	175 (+3 from 1963)	2219 (+38 from 1963)	0.11337
1963	178 (-9 from 1962)	2181 (-245 from 1962)	0.10970
1962	169 (-11 from 1961)	2426 (-183 from 1961)	0.11969
1961	158 (-6 from 1960)	2609 (-167 from 1960)	0.12561
1960	152 (-6 from 1959)	2776 (-104 from 1959)	0.13348
1959	146 (+1 from 1958)	2880 (+116 from 1958)	0.13855
1958	147 (-4 from 1957)	2764 (-165 from 1957)	0.13380
1957	143 (-3 from 1956)	2929 (+110 from 1956)	0.13960
1956	140 (+12 from 1955)	2819 (+430 from 1955)	0.13688
1955	152 (-1 from 1954)	2389 (+22 from 1954)	0.11916
1954	151 No change from 1953	2367 (+61 from 1953)	0.11889
1953	151 (-2 from 1952)	2306 (+30 from 1952)	0.11951
1952	149 (+6 from 1951)	2276 (+264 from 1951)	0.11966
1951	155 (+4 from 1950)	2012 (+237 from 1950)	0.10892
1950	159 (+12 from 1949)	1775 (+133 from 1949)	0.10094
1949	171 No change from 1948	1642 (+15 from 1948)	0.09353
1948	171 (-5 from 1947)	1627 (-188 from 1947)	0.09336
1947	166 (+4 from 1946)	1815 (+242 from 1946)	0.09984
1946	170 (-2 from 1945)	1573 (+183 from 1945)	0.09753
1945	168 (-5 from 1944)	1390 (-66 from 1944)	0.10326
1944	163 (-6 from 1943)	1456 (-154 from 1943)	0.10655
1943	157 (-3 from 1942)	1610 (+18 from 1942)	0.11216
1942	154 (-4 from 1941)	1592 (+42 from 1941)	0.11449
1941	150 (+10 from 1940)	1550 (+240 from 1940)	0.12440
1940	160 (+6 from 1939)	1310 (+51 from 1939)	0.11089
1939	166 (-7 from 1938)	1259 (-113 from 1938)	0.11102
1938	159 (+3 from 1937)	1372 (+136 from 1937)	0.12020
1937	162 (-18 from 1936)	1236 (-247 from 1936)	0.11218
1936	144 (+4 from 1935)	1483 (+134 from 1935)	0.13763
1935	148 (+4 from 1934)	1349 (+7 from 1934)	0.12413
1934	152 (-5 from 1933)	1342 (+51 from 1933)	0.12399
1933	147 No change from 1932	1291 (-70 from 1932)	0.12342
1932	147 (+5 from 1931)	1361 (+137 from 1931)	0.12302
1931	152 (+11 from 1930)	1224 (-44 from 1930)	0.11090
1930	163 (+14 from 1929)	1268 (+131 from 1929)	0.10871
1929	177 (+11 from 1928)	1137 (+45 from 1928)	0.09822
1928	188 (-5 from 1927)	1092 (-35 from 1927)	0.09134
1927	183 (+27 from 1926)	1127 (+235 from 1926)	0.09115
1926	210 (+26 from 1925)	892 (+120 from 1925)	0.07251
1925	236 (+37 from 1924)	772 (+194 from 1924)	0.06112
1924	273 (+4 from 1923)	578 (+38 from 1923)	0.04461
1923	277 (+32 from 1922)	540 (+93 from 1922)	0.04312
1922	309 (+23 from 1921)	447 (+55 from 1921)	0.03583
1921	332 (+4 from 1920)	392 (+16 from 1920)	0.03063
1920	336 (+22 from 1919)	376 (+54 from 1919)	0.03022
1919	358 (+19 from 1918)	322 (+19 from 1918)	0.02741
1918	377 (+16 from 1917)	303 (+47 from 1917)	0.02520
1917	393 (+36 from 1916)	256 (+42 from 1916)	0.02278
1916	429 (+16 from 1915)	214 (+24 from 1915)	0.01971
1915	445 (-17 from 1914)	190 (+32 from 1914)	0.01856
1914	428 (+25 from 1913)	158 (+38 from 1913)	0.01983
1913	453 (+138 from 1912)	120 (+52 from 1912)	0.01832
1912	591 (-69 from 1911)	68 (+5 from 1911)	0.01159
1911	522 (+82 from 1910)	63 (+15 from 1910)	0.01426
1910	604 (-95 from 1909)	48 (-6 from 1909)	0.01144
1909	509 (+108 from 1908)	54 (+16 from 1908)	0.01467
1908	617 (-16 from 1907)	38 No change from 1907	0.01072
1907	601 (-46 from 1906)	38 (-2 from 1906)	0.01126
1906	555 (+9 from 1905)	40 (+2 from 1905)	0.01276
1905	564 (-5 from 1904)	38 (+2 from 1904)	0.01226
1904	559 (+37 from 1903)	36 (+6 from 1903)	0.01231
1903	596 (-78 from 1902)	30 (-8 from 1902)	0.01078
1902	518 (+112 from 1901)	38 (+13 from 1901)	0.01356
1901	630 (+58 from 1900)	25 (-2 from 1900)	0.00983
1900	688 (-44 from 1899)	27 (+4 from 1899)	0.00850
1899	644 (+106 from 1898)	23 (+3 from 1898)	0.00929
1898	750 (-213 from 1897)	20 (-10 from 1897)	0.00730
1897	537 (+217 from 1896)	30 (+12 from 1896)	0.01208
1896	754 (-132 from 1895)	18 (-6 from 1895)	0.00714
1895	622 (+21 from 1894)	24 (+3 from 1894)	0.00971
1894	643 (+312 from 1893)	21 (+11 from 1893)	0.00890
1893	955 (-229 from 1892)	10 (-6 from 1892)	0.00444
1892	726 (+1 from 1891)	16 (+2 from 1891)	0.00711
1891	727 (+145 from 1890)	14 (+4 from 1890)	0.00712
1890	872 (-305 from 1889)	10 (-10 from 1889)	0.00496
1889	567 (+270 from 1888)	20 (+10 from 1888)	0.01057
1888	837 (+100 from 1887)	10 (+3 from 1887)	0.00528
1887	937 (+56 from 1886)	7 (+1 from 1886)	0.00450
1886	993 (-248 from 1885)	6 (-3 from 1885)	0.00390
1885	745 First SSA data recorded	9 First SSA data recorded	0.00634
1884	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1883	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1882	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1881	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1880	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Joy

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

California (CA)

#3742021

#3782022

#4032023

Texas (TX)

#3712021

#3972022

#3682023

New York (NY)

#4412021

#5092022

#4012023

Illinois (IL)

#6692021

#5582022

#5422023

Ohio (OH)

#4652021

#7522022

#6182023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#6152021

#4672022

#4842023

Michigan (MI)

#5412021

#4772022

#4942023

Florida (FL)

#3642021

#3912022

#4752023

North Carolina (NC)

#5642021

#3762022

#4822023

Georgia (GA)

#2472021

#5922022

#3682023

Tennessee (TN)

#3622021

#6242022

#4902023

Indiana (IN)

#4412021

#5092022

#6042023

Missouri (MO)

#5502021

#4892022

#6262023

New Jersey (NJ)

#4262021

#3512022

#4802023

Louisiana (LA)

#3872021

#3632022

#6602023

Oklahoma (OK)

#4322019

#3732021

#6652022

Minnesota (MN)

#4322021

#5742022

#4062023

Virginia (VA)

#2782021

#3832022

#3412023

Wisconsin (WI)

#4882021

#6092022

#3992023

Alabama (AL)

#3512021

#7992022

#2912023

Washington (WA)

#3342021

#6092022

#4252023

Kentucky (KY)

#5332020

#7992021

#6842022

Massachusetts (MA)

#3862021

#4042022

#3272023

Maryland (MD)

#2502021

#2932022

#5372023

Iowa (IA)

#4122021

#4712022

#5352023

Arkansas (AR)

#6282021

#5212022

#5202023

Kansas (KS)

#3792020

#6242021

#6172023

South Carolina (SC)

#6362021

#4472022

#5232023

Colorado (CO)

#4122021

#5992022

#4902023

Mississippi (MS)

#3062019

#2822020

#3852021

Oregon (OR)

#5972021

#5022022

#3182023

Utah (UT)

#4312021

#4492022

#6262023

West Virginia (WV)

#1991985

#1961986

#3091991

Connecticut (CT)

#2582021

#5162022

#3422023

Arizona (AZ)

#2942021

#5722022

#5632023

Nebraska (NE)

#4732016

#4642019

#3822022

Hawaii (HI)

#2592015

#2052016

#1992022

District of Columbia (DC)

#1792001

#2492003

#2222005

Idaho (ID)

#4122017

#4112019

#3212020

South Dakota (SD)

#1561981

#2151982

#1782022

North Dakota (ND)

#1591980

#1421981

#1271986

New Mexico (NM)

#4672010

#2562016

#3692021

Montana (MT)

#2351979

#1511981

#2391982

Maine (ME)

#1921981

#1571982

#2311987

Rhode Island (RI)

#1521981

#1931982

#1592020

Nevada (NV)

#2472021

#5572022

#5352023

New Hampshire (NH)

#2211986

#2312002

#2362016

Wyoming (WY)

#971977

#921978

#1321979

Delaware (DE)

#1291981

#1511982

#1051983

Alaska (AK)

#1721979

#2241984

#1362014

Vermont (VT)

#1131959

#1611961

#861968

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

Is Joy a Name for Boys or Girls?

Joy is mainly a girl’s name. It’s short, sweet, and carries a positive vibe, which is why many parents choose it for their daughters.

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

Meaning: Lord, marry, joy
Origin: Old English, Latin, Old FrenchJoyce
Joya
Joi
Joie
Meaning: Member of the Gauts tribe
Origin: Old GermanJocelyn

Joy in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Joy Adamson (Naturalist, 1910–1980): A renowned conservationist and author, best known for her book "Born Free."
Joy Mangano (Inventor, born 1956): An American entrepreneur who invented the Miracle Mop and Huggable Hangers.
Joy Davidman (Author, 1915–1960): An American poet and writer, best known as the wife of C.S. Lewis.
Joy Behar (Comedian, born 1942): A television host and comedian, famous for co-hosting "The View."
Joy Bryant (Actress, born 1974): An actress and former fashion model, recognized for her role in the TV show "Parenthood."
Joy Division (Band, 1976–1980): An influential English rock band, known for their post-punk music.
Joy Harmon (Actress, born 1940): A former actress and baker, noted for her role in "Cool Hand Luke."

Meaning: Red-haired, red, king
Origin: Scottish, Irish, Gaelic, FrenchRoy
Meaning: Foot soldier
Origin: GreekTroy
Lloyd
Coy
Boyd

Sibling Names for Joy

For a Brother
For a Sister

Parents Who Like the Name Joy Also Like

Joy is the perfect name for a little one who’s sure to light up your life. Keep exploring my blog for more wonderful names and stories!

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.

Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

Joy Name Meaning