Jay
Jay: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /d͡ʒeɪ/
Meaning and origin of Jay
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
- A diminutive of the male given names James, Jacob, Jack, John, and Jason, or for any other name beginning with ⟨J⟩; also used as a formal given name.
- A female given name.
- A male given name from Hindi.
Etymology
Borrowed from Hindi जय (jay, literally “victory”).
How popular is Jay?
Since 1880, 2,584 girls and 195,548 boys in the U.S. have been named Jay (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1205 in 1926. Its highest rank for boys was #78 in 1960. In 2025 it ranked #392 for boys, with 818 babies given the name.
Names similar to Jay
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Hindi boy names
Sibling name ideas for Jay
Sister and brother names that share Jay's Hindi roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Jay FAQ
What does the name Jay mean?
A male given name transferred from the surname. A diminutive of the male given names James, Jacob, Jack, John, and Jason, or for any other name beginning with ⟨J⟩; also used as a formal given name. A female given name. A male given name from Hindi. Borrowed from Hindi जय (jay, literally “victory”).
What is the origin of the name Jay?
Jay is listed as a name of Hindi origin.
How popular is the name Jay?
Since 1880, 2,584 girls and 195,548 boys in the U.S. have been named Jay (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1205 in 1926. Its highest rank for boys was #78 in 1960. In 2025 it ranked #392 for boys, with 818 babies given the name.
Is Jay a boy or girl name?
Jay is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 2,584 girls and 195,548 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.