`J´ Names That I Like - Girls & Boys
- Jayden
Origin:
Variation of Jaden or Jadon, HebrewMeaning:
"thankful"Description:
Reminiscent of 70’s favorite Jason, and sharing sounds with the perpetually popular James, Jayden is one of the more enduring members of the -ayden trend.
- Jazlyn
Origin:
Modern invented nameMeaning:
"jazz by the lake; fower by the lake"Description:
A modern invention that's been in use since the 80s and in the charts since the 90s, which combines the sounds of Jasmine (or Jasper or just the word jazz) with the popular suffix, -lyn. Inspiration might also have come from Joslyn, Jocelyn, or Roslyn. Trendy but snazzy too, Jazlyn remains in the US Top 600.
- Jazmyn
Description:
See JASMINE.
- Jean
Origin:
English and Scottish, from French variation of JohannaMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Originally a feminine of John, Jean was popular in Scotland long before it found favor elsewhere, and had its most shining moment here in the era of Jean Harlow (born Harlean), ultimate symbol of silver screen glamour. Now, though there are many grandmas and even moms with the name, it doesn't seem all that baby-friendly. Though that could change, and Jean could join Jane.
- Jeanelle
- Jeanine
Origin:
French variation of JeanMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Together with the more common (in France) Jeannine spelling, this feminine form of Jean was most popular in the 1930s in its home country, and in the 1960s in the US. It's fallen off the Top 1000 list since, but perhaps cute retro nickname Jeannie could tempt some vintage-loving parents back.
- Jeb
Origin:
Diminutive of Jebediah, HebrewMeaning:
"beloved friend"Description:
Both Jeb and Jed are very attractive Old Testament short forms with long and bright futures. Jeb's main current association is with the Bush brother and former governor of Florida, but the name was a mainstay on early TV westerns, and then went upscale as the nickname (his birth name being Josiah) of the President on "The West Wing."
- Jed
Origin:
Diminutive of JedidiahDescription:
Cowboyish short form that's both macho and cool. Got prime time exposure on The West Wing.
- Jeff
Origin:
Diminutive of Jeffrey, JeffersonMeaning:
"pledge of peace"Description:
The ultimate dad name.
- Jefferson
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of Jeffrey"Description:
The name of the third U.S. President sounds, like Harrison and Jackson, more modern and stylish now than its root name. Used as a first name long before our surname-crazed era, Jefferson was most famously used as a first name by the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, which may justifiably make you not want to use it. Jefferson is the middle name of another Prez, William Clinton.
- Jeffrey
Origin:
Spelling variation of GeoffreyMeaning:
"pledge of peace"Description:
The mostly Americanized version of Geoffrey was a trendy mid-century hit, with nickname Jeff the epitome of cool. Jeffrey entered the pop list in 1934 and was a Top 20 name from the mid-fifties to 1978.
- Jen
- Jenna
Origin:
English, diminutive of JenniferMeaning:
"white shadow, white wave"Description:
Jenna was first noted on the 1980s TV series Dallas, later associated with one of the First Twin Daughters. Jenna is still being used, but no longer feels much fresher than Jennifer. You can also spell it Jena, but then many people will pronounce it jeen-a, as in Gina.
- Jennifer
Origin:
Cornish variation of Welsh GuinevereMeaning:
"white shadow, white wave"Description:
Jennifer is the Cornish variation of Guinevere, which ultimately derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar. It has been in use in the English-speaking world since the 18th century but came to prominence in the 20th. Playwright George Bernard Shaw chose Jennifer for the name of his leading lady in his play The Doctor’s Dilemma, which drew more attention to the name.
- Jenny
Origin:
Diminutive of Janet, Jane, Jean, and JenniferDescription:
At the height of the Jennifer craze, many parents were cutting straight to the nickname and putting Jenny on the birth certificate. But now that Jennifer is the mom rather than the daughter, Jenny, which has been somewhat replaced by Jenna, has faded as well.
- Jensen
Origin:
Spelling variation of Jenson and Danish surnameMeaning:
"son of Jens"Description:
A variation of Jenson, which is actually more popular than the original in the United States. This spelling also holds the distinction of being the most common surname in Denmark.
- Jeremiah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"appointed by God"Description:
Jeremiah is a solid Old Testament prophet name that has gradually taken the place of the now dated Jeremy, Gerard and Gerald, joining other currently popular biblical 'iah' names like Josiah and Isaiah. In the Bible Jeremiah is a famous prophet whose story is recorded in the book named after him.
- Jeremy
Origin:
English form of JeremiahMeaning:
"appointed by God"Description:
This one-time trendy form of Jeremiah hovered just outside the Top 25 throughout the 1970s and 80s.
- Jerome
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"sacred name"Description:
Jerome has a bespectacled, serious, studious image, just like its namesake saint, who was a brilliant scholar. St. Jerome is the patron saint of students, librarians, and archaeologists.
- Jerry
Origin:
Diminutive of Gerald or Jerome, German or GreekMeaning:
"ruler with the spear or sacred name"Description:
Jerry is one of those short forms that, like Mike and Debbie, rose to popularity on the coattails of their formal versions. The equivalents today are nickname names like Ellie and Theo.