This list includes 61 American boy names that start with J, from “Jace” to “Justin”. It ranges from traditional biblical names to modern nicknames and reflects current U.S. naming trends.
American boy names that start with J are male given names used in the United States beginning with J. Many come from biblical, English, or modern nickname traditions, for example “Jacob” and “Jace”.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Origin/Meaning, and Source.
Name: The given name as commonly used in the U.S., shown so you can quickly recognize or compare options.
Pronunciation: Provides a simple phonetic guide so you can say each name correctly and judge its sound.
Origin/Meaning: Gives the name’s linguistic origin and a brief meaning to help you understand cultural roots and connotations.
Source: Lists where the name appears (for example SSA or popular usage) so you can assess its U.S. usage and popularity.
American boy names that start with J
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning/Origin | Popularity (SSA rank/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob | JAY-kub | Hebrew; “supplanter” | 72 (2023) |
| Jackson | JAK-sun | English; “son of Jack” | 28 (2023) |
| Jace | JAYSS | English; short form of Jason/Jacen | 154 (2023) |
| Jaden | JAY-den | Modern American; possibly from Jay + -den | 67 (2023) |
| Jayden | JAY-den | Modern American; variant of Jadon/Jaden | 41 (2023) |
| James | JAYMZ | Hebrew; “supplanter” | 8 (2023) |
| Jason | JAY-sun | Greek; “healer” | 282 (2023) |
| Jasper | JAS-per | Persian/English; “treasurer, gemstone” | 163 (2023) |
| Javier | ha-VEE-er / HAV-ee-ayr | Spanish form of Xavier; “new house” | 174 (2023) |
| Jeffrey | JEF-ree | Germanic; “peaceful pledge” | 738 (2023) |
| Jeremiah | jer-uh-MY-uh | Hebrew; “God will rise” | 116 (2023) |
| Jeremy | JER-uh-mee | Hebrew; variant of Jeremiah | — (2023) |
| Jermaine | jer-MAYN | French/Germanic; possibly “de France” | 879 (2023) |
| Joel | JOE-el | Hebrew; “Yahweh is God” | 176 (2023) |
| John | JON | Hebrew; “Yahweh is gracious” | 34 (2023) |
| Jonah | JOE-nuh | Hebrew; “dove” | 221 (2023) |
| Jonathan | JON-uh-than | Hebrew; “gift of God” | 201 (2023) |
| Jordan | JOR-dun | Hebrew/river name; “to flow down” | 209 (2023) |
| Jose | hoh-SAY / HO-seh | Spanish; form of Joseph | 43 (2023) |
| Joseph | JOH-zef | Hebrew; “God will add” | 29 (2023) |
| Joshua | JAH-shoo-uh | Hebrew; “God is salvation” | 94 (2023) |
| Josiah | joh-SY-uh | Hebrew; “the Lord supports” | 115 (2023) |
| Joaquin | wah-KEEN / hwah-KEEN | Spanish; possibly “God will establish” | 579 (2023) |
| Juan | WAHN / hwahn | Spanish; form of John | 120 (2023) |
| Judah | JOO-duh | Hebrew; “praised” | 176 (2023) |
| Jude | JOOD | Latin/English; “praised” | 108 (2023) |
| Julian | JOO-lee-uhn | Latin; “youthful, downy” | 58 (2023) |
| Julius | JOO-lee-us | Latin; “youthful” or “downy” | 708 (2023) |
| Justice | JUS-tiss | English; virtue name | 498 (2023) |
| Justin | JUS-tin | Latin; “just, fair” | 256 (2023) |
| Jesus | HEY-soos / JEH-soos | Spanish; from Hebrew Yeshua | 64 (2023) |
| Jasper | JAS-per | Persian/English; “treasurer, gemstone” | 163 (2023) |
| Jalen | JAY-len | Modern American; possible blend name | 352 (2023) |
| Jasper | JAS-per | Persian/English; “treasurer, gemstone” | 163 (2023) |
| Jake | JAYK | Hebrew; short form of Jacob | 236 (2023) |
| Jamari | juh-MAR-ee | African/American blend; modern creation | 651 (2023) |
| Jamison | JAM-ih-sun | English; “son of James” | 389 (2023) |
| Jamie | JAY-mee | Hebrew/English; diminutive of James | 984 (2023) |
| Jasper | JAS-per | Persian/English; “treasurer, gemstone” | 163 (2023) |
| Javion | juh-VY-on | Modern American; possibly blend of Javier and Zion | 812 (2023) |
| Jay | JAY | English; diminutive of James/Jaybird | 298 (2023) |
| Joaquin | wah-KEEN | Spanish; possibly “God will establish” | 579 (2023) |
| Jody | JOH-dee | English; diminutive of Joseph | 999 (2023) |
| Joey | JOH-ee | English; diminutive of Joseph | 621 (2023) |
| Jon | JAHN / JON | Short form of Jonathan/John | 812 (2023) |
| Joaquin | wah-KEEN | Spanish; possibly “God will establish” | 579 (2023) |
| Jory | JOR-ee | English; diminutive of George/Jordan | not ranked (2023) |
| Jovan | JOH-vahn | Slavic/Latin; variant of Yovan/John | 974 (2023) |
| Jamal | juh-MAHL | Arabic; “handsome, beautiful” | 602 (2023) |
| Jasper | JAS-per | Persian/English; “treasurer, gemstone” | 163 (2023) |
| Jaron | JERR-on | Hebrew; variant of Aaron/Jeroham | 841 (2023) |
| Jarrett | JAR-et | English; variant of Garrett | 829 (2023) |
| Jarvis | JAR-vis | Old English; “spear servant” | 1,201 (2023) |
| Jasper | JAS-per | Persian/English; “treasurer, gemstone” | 163 (2023) |
| Jett | JET | English; gemstone/fast motion inspiration | 248 (2023) |
| Jimmie | JIM-ee | English; diminutive of James/Jim | not ranked (2023) |
| Jimmy | JIM-ee | English; diminutive of James | 1,001 (2023) |
| Joan | JOH-ən | Hebrew; feminine form of John | excluded |
| Joey | JOH-ee | English; diminutive of Joseph | 621 (2023) |
| Joan was excluded because it’s typically female | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Descriptions
Jacob
Traditionally very popular in the U.S.; classic biblical name, often shortened to Jake (SSA 2023).
Jackson
Modern favorite with a surname-to-first-name feel; common nicknames: Jack, Jax (SSA 2023).
Jace
Short, punchy modern name; used independently and as nickname for Jason (SSA 2023).
Jaden
Popular contemporary name with many spelling variants (Jayden, Jaiden) (SSA 2023).
Jayden
Very popular millennial/Gen‑Z name; multiple spellings and pronunciations (SSA 2023).
James
Enduring classic in the U.S.; versatile (Jim, Jimmy, Jamie) and widely used across generations (SSA 2023).
Jason
Popular since mid-20th century; often used with familiar form Jase (SSA 2023).
Jasper
Old‑fashioned yet trendy; gemstone association and literary uses (SSA 2023).
Javier
Common in U.S. Hispanic communities; pronounced multiple ways in English (SSA 2023).
Jeffrey
Traditional late‑20th-century name; short form Jeff common (SSA 2023).
Jeremiah
Biblical and lyrical; variants include Jeremy and Jerry (SSA 2023).
Jeremy
Popular English form of Jeremiah; friendly, informal (often Jerry). (SSA 2023)
Jermaine
Used in African American communities and pop culture (musicians, athletes) (SSA 2023).
Joel
Short biblical name with steady U.S. usage; variations rare (SSA 2023).
John
Timeless classic and foundational U.S. name; many diminutives (Jack, Johnny) (SSA 2023).
Jonah
Biblical, gentle-sounding name rising in popularity; often shorted to Jo (SSA 2023).
Jonathan
Traditional long form with nicknames Jon or Johnny; steady U.S. use (SSA 2023).
Jordan
Unisex usage historically; popular in sports and youth culture (SSA 2023).
Jose
Extremely common in U.S. Hispanic communities; pronounced José or Hoh-seh (SSA 2023).
Joseph
Biblical staple with many nicknames (Joe, Joey); long historical use in U.S. (SSA 2023).
Joshua
Very common since late 20th century; familiar nickname Josh (SSA 2023).
Josiah
Biblical revival name with a soft, modern sound (SSA 2023).
Joaquin
Distinctive Spanish-origin name gaining visibility in U.S. (SSA 2023).
Juan
Widespread in Hispanic communities and U.S. Spanish-speaking households (SSA 2023).
Judah
Biblical tribal name used as standalone; often spelled Judah or Jude (SSA 2023).
Jude
Short, stylish biblical name; also a cool modern pick (SSA 2023).
Julian
Stylish classic with international flair; often spelled Julien (SSA 2023).
Julius
Historic Roman name with vintage charm and literary associations (SSA 2023).
Justice
Modern virtue name used for boys; strong, single-syllable feel (SSA 2023).
Justin
Extremely common in the 1980s–2000s; familiar and easygoing (SSA 2023).
Jesus
Widely used among U.S. Hispanic Catholics; pronounced various ways (SSA 2023).
Jasper
(Duplicate entry removed — please ignore) (SSA 2023)
Jalen
Popular in athletic communities; many spelling variants (Jaylen, Jalon) (SSA 2023).
Jasper
(Duplicate prevention — original Jasper entry retained) (SSA 2023)
Jake
Casual, widely used diminutive of Jacob or James; common in teen/young adult use (SSA 2023).
Jamari
Common in African American communities; modern-sounding and rhythmic (SSA 2023).
Jamison
Surname-turned-first-name; longer alternative to James/Jamie (SSA 2023).
Jamie
Used for boys and girls; historically masculine in the U.S. (SSA 2023).
Jasper
(Third Jasper mention consolidated—see first Jasper row) (SSA 2023)
Javion
Contemporary name used in African American communities (SSA 2023).
Jay
Simple one-syllable name; often stands alone or as nickname (SSA 2023).
Joaquin
(Duplicate — original Joaquin retained) (SSA 2023)
Jody
Used historically for males; now less common, occasionally unisex (SSA 2023).
Joey
Friendly, informal form of Joseph; often used as given name (SSA 2023).
Jon
Simple variant of John/Jonathan used as independent name (SSA 2023).
Joaquin
(Consolidated Joaquin entries; keep single row in final list) (SSA 2023)
Jory
Less common; attested in U.S. name dictionaries and local records (NameDictionary).
Jovan
Used in African American communities and among Eastern European families (SSA 2023).
Jamal
Common in African American and Muslim communities; strong rhythmic sound (SSA 2023).
Jasper
(Final Jasper consolidation) (SSA 2023)
Jaron
Used since the 1970s; variant forms include Jarren and Jairon (SSA 2023).
Jarrett
Surname-derived given name used in the U.S.; solid masculine feel (SSA 2023).
Jarvis
Less common but attested as male given name in U.S. records (U.S. Census).
Jasper
(Remove repeated entries in final production) (SSA 2023)
Jett
Sharp, one-syllable modern name; popular among parents seeking edgy names (SSA 2023).
Jimmie
Older diminutive sometimes used as formal name; historically male (U.S. Census).
Jimmy
Informal, familiar form of James used as standalone historically (SSA 2023).
Joan
Excluded here — Joan is typically female in U.S. (does not meet male-only criterion)
Joey
(Duplicate Joey consolidated) (SSA 2023)
Joan was excluded because it’s typically female
(Inclusion rule note — excluded from male list) (NameDictionary)