Jocelyn
Jocelyn: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈd͡ʒɒsəlɪn/ · /ˈd͡ʒɒslɪn/
Meaning and origin of Jocelyn
Root meaning: “a Geat, a Goth”
- A male given name from the Germanic languages.
- A female given name from the Germanic languages.
Etymology
From the Middle English male given name from Old French Joscelin, German Gautzelin, diminutive of names beginning with the tribal name Gaut (“a Geat, a Goth”), the root form of which probably comes from Proto-Germanic *Gautalinþiz (from *gautaz + *linþaz); also used as a diminutive form of the Breton name Josse (= Joyce). It survived as a surname and was revived as a given name in the nineteenth century. * Jocelyn is currently popular among U.S. Hispanics, and in the Philippines, by folk etymology explained as a feminine diminutive form of José (Joseph).
How popular is Jocelyn?
Since 1880, 113,061 girls and 351 boys in the U.S. have been named Jocelyn (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #50 in 2007. Its highest rank for boys was #3091 in 1993. In 2025 it ranked #393 for girls, with 788 babies given the name.
Names similar to Jocelyn
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic girl names
Sibling name ideas for Jocelyn
Sister and brother names that share Jocelyn's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Jocelyn FAQ
What does the name Jocelyn mean?
Jocelyn traces back to a root meaning "a Geat, a Goth". A male given name from the Germanic languages. A female given name from the Germanic languages. From the Middle English male given name from Old French Joscelin, German Gautzelin, diminutive of names beginning with the tribal name Gaut (“a Geat, a Goth”), the root form of which probably comes from Proto-Germanic *Gautalinþiz (from *gautaz + *linþaz); also used as a diminutive form of the Breton name Josse (= Joyce). It survived as a surname and was revived as a given name in the nineteenth century. * Jocelyn is currently popular among U.S. Hispanics, and in the Philippines, by folk etymology explained as a feminine diminutive form of José (Joseph).
What is the origin of the name Jocelyn?
Jocelyn is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Jocelyn?
Since 1880, 113,061 girls and 351 boys in the U.S. have been named Jocelyn (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #50 in 2007. Its highest rank for boys was #3091 in 1993. In 2025 it ranked #393 for girls, with 788 babies given the name.
Is Jocelyn a boy or girl name?
Jocelyn is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 113,061 girls and 351 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.