Joy Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

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

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.

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A Deep Dive

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)
A Deep Dive

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 flagUnited States#4072021#4632022#4532023
Top 3 Rankings#1091974#1231975#1321976

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Joy

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023453
(+10 from 2022)
676
(-7 from 2022)
0.03865
2022463
(-56 from 2021)
683
(-96 from 2021)
0.03809
2021407
(-11 from 2020)
779
(-7 from 2020)
0.04348
2020396
(-53 from 2019)
786
(-131 from 2019)
0.04446
2019343
(+10 from 2018)
917
(+16 from 2018)
0.04998
2018353
(-19 from 2017)
901
(-67 from 2017)
0.04845
2017334
(+17 from 2016)
968
(+14 from 2016)
0.05124
2016351
(+79 from 2015)
954
(+221 from 2015)
0.04928
2015430
(+27 from 2014)
733
(+35 from 2014)
0.03757
2014457
(+15 from 2013)
698
(+48 from 2013)
0.03568
2013472
(+22 from 2012)
650
(+28 from 2012)
0.03372
2012494
(+8 from 2011)
622
(+37 from 2011)
0.03207
2011502
(-24 from 2010)
585
(-45 from 2010)
0.03019
2010478
(+38 from 2009)
630
(+43 from 2009)
0.03213
2009516
(+19 from 2008)
587
(+12 from 2008)
0.02899
2008535
(-15 from 2007)
575
(-29 from 2007)
0.02761
2007520
(-18 from 2006)
604
(-3 from 2006)
0.02854
2006502
(+8 from 2005)
607
(+23 from 2005)
0.02904
2005510
(-32 from 2004)
584
(-31 from 2004)
0.02877
2004478
(+16 from 2003)
615
(+32 from 2003)
0.03048
2003494
(-18 from 2002)
583
(-7 from 2002)
0.02906
2002476
(+4 from 2001)
590
(+10 from 2001)
0.02987
2001480
(-23 from 2000)
580
(-27 from 2000)
0.02928
2000457
(-9 from 1999)
607
(+11 from 1999)
0.03041
1999448
(-6 from 1998)
596
(+13 from 1998)
0.03061
1998442
(-4 from 1997)
583
(+3 from 1997)
0.03007
1997438
(-4 from 1996)
580
(-7 from 1996)
0.03038
1996434
No change from 1995
587
(-5 from 1995)
0.03062
1995434
(-6 from 1994)
592
(+3 from 1994)
0.03081
1994428
(-29 from 1993)
589
(-43 from 1993)
0.03021
1993399
(+10 from 1992)
632
(+16 from 1992)
0.03206
1992409
(-47 from 1991)
616
(-94 from 1991)
0.03073
1991362
(+13 from 1990)
710
(+13 from 1990)
0.03492
1990375
(-58 from 1989)
697
(-105 from 1989)
0.03393
1989317
(-22 from 1988)
802
(-35 from 1988)
0.04026
1988295
(-9 from 1987)
837
(-25 from 1987)
0.04352
1987286
(-37 from 1986)
862
(-174 from 1986)
0.04599
1986249
(-19 from 1985)
1036
(-87 from 1985)
0.05614
1985230
(-6 from 1984)
1123
(-32 from 1984)
0.06082
1984224
(-13 from 1983)
1155
(-36 from 1983)
0.06405
1983211
(-8 from 1982)
1191
(-144 from 1982)
0.06655
1982203
(-33 from 1981)
1335
(-287 from 1981)
0.07358
1981170
(-5 from 1980)
1622
(-95 from 1980)
0.09069
1980165
(-11 from 1979)
1717
(-104 from 1979)
0.09643
1979154
(-15 from 1978)
1821
(-125 from 1978)
0.10567
1978139
(-3 from 1977)
1946
(-154 from 1977)
0.11838
1977136
(-4 from 1976)
2100
(+24 from 1976)
0.12766
1976132
(-9 from 1975)
2076
(-230 from 1975)
0.13207
1975123
(-14 from 1974)
2306
(-451 from 1974)
0.14774
1974109
(+53 from 1973)
2757
(+1060 from 1973)
0.17602
1973162
(-2 from 1972)
1697
(-120 from 1972)
0.10919
1972160
(+9 from 1971)
1817
(-9 from 1971)
0.11268
1971169
(+15 from 1970)
1826
(+53 from 1970)
0.10419
1970184
(+3 from 1969)
1773
(+82 from 1969)
0.09679
1969187
(-17 from 1968)
1691
(-213 from 1968)
0.09593
1968170
(-1 from 1967)
1904
(+18 from 1967)
0.11137
1967169
(-4 from 1966)
1886
(-204 from 1966)
0.10985
1966165
(+12 from 1965)
2090
(+115 from 1965)
0.11904
1965177
(-2 from 1964)
1975
(-244 from 1964)
0.10807
1964175
(+3 from 1963)
2219
(+38 from 1963)
0.11337
1963178
(-9 from 1962)
2181
(-245 from 1962)
0.10970
1962169
(-11 from 1961)
2426
(-183 from 1961)
0.11969
1961158
(-6 from 1960)
2609
(-167 from 1960)
0.12561
1960152
(-6 from 1959)
2776
(-104 from 1959)
0.13348
1959146
(+1 from 1958)
2880
(+116 from 1958)
0.13855
1958147
(-4 from 1957)
2764
(-165 from 1957)
0.13380
1957143
(-3 from 1956)
2929
(+110 from 1956)
0.13960
1956140
(+12 from 1955)
2819
(+430 from 1955)
0.13688
1955152
(-1 from 1954)
2389
(+22 from 1954)
0.11916
1954151
No change from 1953
2367
(+61 from 1953)
0.11889
1953151
(-2 from 1952)
2306
(+30 from 1952)
0.11951
1952149
(+6 from 1951)
2276
(+264 from 1951)
0.11966
1951155
(+4 from 1950)
2012
(+237 from 1950)
0.10892
1950159
(+12 from 1949)
1775
(+133 from 1949)
0.10094
1949171
No change from 1948
1642
(+15 from 1948)
0.09353
1948171
(-5 from 1947)
1627
(-188 from 1947)
0.09336
1947166
(+4 from 1946)
1815
(+242 from 1946)
0.09984
1946170
(-2 from 1945)
1573
(+183 from 1945)
0.09753
1945168
(-5 from 1944)
1390
(-66 from 1944)
0.10326
1944163
(-6 from 1943)
1456
(-154 from 1943)
0.10655
1943157
(-3 from 1942)
1610
(+18 from 1942)
0.11216
1942154
(-4 from 1941)
1592
(+42 from 1941)
0.11449
1941150
(+10 from 1940)
1550
(+240 from 1940)
0.12440
1940160
(+6 from 1939)
1310
(+51 from 1939)
0.11089
1939166
(-7 from 1938)
1259
(-113 from 1938)
0.11102
1938159
(+3 from 1937)
1372
(+136 from 1937)
0.12020
1937162
(-18 from 1936)
1236
(-247 from 1936)
0.11218
1936144
(+4 from 1935)
1483
(+134 from 1935)
0.13763
1935148
(+4 from 1934)
1349
(+7 from 1934)
0.12413
1934152
(-5 from 1933)
1342
(+51 from 1933)
0.12399
1933147
No change from 1932
1291
(-70 from 1932)
0.12342
1932147
(+5 from 1931)
1361
(+137 from 1931)
0.12302
1931152
(+11 from 1930)
1224
(-44 from 1930)
0.11090
1930163
(+14 from 1929)
1268
(+131 from 1929)
0.10871
1929177
(+11 from 1928)
1137
(+45 from 1928)
0.09822
1928188
(-5 from 1927)
1092
(-35 from 1927)
0.09134
1927183
(+27 from 1926)
1127
(+235 from 1926)
0.09115
1926210
(+26 from 1925)
892
(+120 from 1925)
0.07251
1925236
(+37 from 1924)
772
(+194 from 1924)
0.06112
1924273
(+4 from 1923)
578
(+38 from 1923)
0.04461
1923277
(+32 from 1922)
540
(+93 from 1922)
0.04312
1922309
(+23 from 1921)
447
(+55 from 1921)
0.03583
1921332
(+4 from 1920)
392
(+16 from 1920)
0.03063
1920336
(+22 from 1919)
376
(+54 from 1919)
0.03022
1919358
(+19 from 1918)
322
(+19 from 1918)
0.02741
1918377
(+16 from 1917)
303
(+47 from 1917)
0.02520
1917393
(+36 from 1916)
256
(+42 from 1916)
0.02278
1916429
(+16 from 1915)
214
(+24 from 1915)
0.01971
1915445
(-17 from 1914)
190
(+32 from 1914)
0.01856
1914428
(+25 from 1913)
158
(+38 from 1913)
0.01983
1913453
(+138 from 1912)
120
(+52 from 1912)
0.01832
1912591
(-69 from 1911)
68
(+5 from 1911)
0.01159
1911522
(+82 from 1910)
63
(+15 from 1910)
0.01426
1910604
(-95 from 1909)
48
(-6 from 1909)
0.01144
1909509
(+108 from 1908)
54
(+16 from 1908)
0.01467
1908617
(-16 from 1907)
38
No change from 1907
0.01072
1907601
(-46 from 1906)
38
(-2 from 1906)
0.01126
1906555
(+9 from 1905)
40
(+2 from 1905)
0.01276
1905564
(-5 from 1904)
38
(+2 from 1904)
0.01226
1904559
(+37 from 1903)
36
(+6 from 1903)
0.01231
1903596
(-78 from 1902)
30
(-8 from 1902)
0.01078
1902518
(+112 from 1901)
38
(+13 from 1901)
0.01356
1901630
(+58 from 1900)
25
(-2 from 1900)
0.00983
1900688
(-44 from 1899)
27
(+4 from 1899)
0.00850
1899644
(+106 from 1898)
23
(+3 from 1898)
0.00929
1898750
(-213 from 1897)
20
(-10 from 1897)
0.00730
1897537
(+217 from 1896)
30
(+12 from 1896)
0.01208
1896754
(-132 from 1895)
18
(-6 from 1895)
0.00714
1895622
(+21 from 1894)
24
(+3 from 1894)
0.00971
1894643
(+312 from 1893)
21
(+11 from 1893)
0.00890
1893955
(-229 from 1892)
10
(-6 from 1892)
0.00444
1892726
(+1 from 1891)
16
(+2 from 1891)
0.00711
1891727
(+145 from 1890)
14
(+4 from 1890)
0.00712
1890872
(-305 from 1889)
10
(-10 from 1889)
0.00496
1889567
(+270 from 1888)
20
(+10 from 1888)
0.01057
1888837
(+100 from 1887)
10
(+3 from 1887)
0.00528
1887937
(+56 from 1886)
7
(+1 from 1886)
0.00450
1886993
(-248 from 1885)
6
(-3 from 1885)
0.00390
1885745
First SSA data recorded
9
First SSA data recorded
0.00634
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
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)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#3742021#3782022#4032023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3712021#3972022#3682023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#4412021#5092022#4012023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#6692021#5582022#5422023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#4652021#7522022#6182023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#6152021#4672022#4842023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#5412021#4772022#4942023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3642021#3912022#4752023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#5642021#3762022#4822023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2472021#5922022#3682023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#3622021#6242022#4902023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#4412021#5092022#6042023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#5502021#4892022#6262023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#4262021#3512022#4802023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3872021#3632022#6602023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#4322019#3732021#6652022

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#4322021#5742022#4062023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2782021#3832022#3412023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#4882021#6092022#3992023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#3512021#7992022#2912023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#3342021#6092022#4252023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#5332020#7992021#6842022

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#3862021#4042022#3272023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2502021#2932022#5372023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4122021#4712022#5352023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#6282021#5212022#5202023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3792020#6242021#6172023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#6362021#4472022#5232023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#4122021#5992022#4902023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3062019#2822020#3852021

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#5972021#5022022#3182023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4312021#4492022#6262023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1991985#1961986#3091991

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2582021#5162022#3422023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#2942021#5722022#5632023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4732016#4642019#3822022

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2592015#2052016#1992022

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1792001#2492003#2222005

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4122017#4112019#3212020

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1561981#2151982#1782022

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1591980#1421981#1271986

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4672010#2562016#3692021

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2351979#1511981#2391982

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1921981#1571982#2311987

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1521981#1931982#1592020

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2472021#5572022#5352023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2211986#2312002#2362016

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#971977#921978#1321979

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1291981#1511982#1051983

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1721979#2241984#1362014

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1131959#1611961#861968

Popularity Rankings for Joy in other Countries and American Territories

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

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#822020#792021#772022

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#821956#981957#991958

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#2472019

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#2522020#2892021#3392022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3162021#4182022#2632023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2662021#3052022#2642023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#4242021#3672022#4132023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3872021#5272022#5142023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#4562017#4352018#4632019

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#4442020#5862021#9052022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#5372019#5252020#5062021

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#6312022#6982023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#6782020#6642021#6772022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7112016

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

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."
  • Joy ("Inside Out," 2015 Film): The main character representing happiness who helps a young girl navigate her emotions.
  • Joy Mangano ("Joy," 2015 Film): A single mother who invents the Miracle Mop and builds a business empire.
  • Joy Turner ("My Name Is Earl," 2005 TV Series): Earl's ex-wife who is known for her sassy and brash personality.
  • Joy Summers ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," 1997 TV Series): Buffy's mother who provides support and guidance.
  • "Joyful Noise" (2012 Film): A film centered around two women who join forces to save a small-town gospel choir.
  • Joy Newsome ("Room," 2015 Film): A woman held captive for years who escapes and struggles to adjust to the outside world.
  • Joy Adamson ("Born Free," 1966 Film): A conservationist who raises a lion cub and reintroduces her to the wild.
  • Joy Island (South Carolina, USA): A small island offering beautiful natural scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.
  • Joy Park (Colorado, USA): A city park with recreational facilities and green spaces.
  • Joy Lake (Nevada, USA): A serene lake surrounded by picturesque landscapes.
  • Joy Township (Michigan, USA): A rural community with a peaceful atmosphere and scenic farmland.
  • Joy Road (Michigan, USA): A major road featuring various shops, restaurants, and local businesses.
  • Joy Mountain (British Columbia, Canada): A mountain providing hiking trails and panoramic views.
  • Joy Street (Massachusetts, USA): A historic street located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood.

Similar Names to Joy

Sibling Names for Joy