This list includes 33 Latin boy names that start with J, from “Jacob” to “Juvenal”. They range from familiar saints’ names to rare classical or medieval choices. Expectant parents, writers, and researchers use this list to find Latin-flavored boy names.
Latin boy names that start with J are male given names found in Latin or Latinized historical records and traditions. Many come from Roman families, Christian saints, or medieval Latin usage, such as “Juvenal”.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, and Meaning/Origin.
Name: This column lists each Latin name so you can scan options and pick ones that appeal to you.
Pronunciation: Gives a simple IPA or respelling so you can say each name confidently and compare sounds.
Meaning/Origin: Summarizes etymology or historical origin in a few words, helping you understand each name’s background.
Latin boy names that start with J
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning | Etymology/Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julius | JOO-lee-əs | Possibly “youthful” or family name | From Latin gens Iulia; attested in Roman sources |
| Julian | JOO-lee-ən | of Julius, youthful | From Latin Julianus, attested in Roman and medieval texts |
| Justin | JUS-tin | just, righteous | From Latin Justinus, attested in Late Antiquity |
| Justus | JUS-təs | just, righteous | Directly from Latin Justus, used in Roman and Christian contexts |
| Januarius | jan-YOO-air-ee-əs | of Janus; January | Latin month name and saint name, attested as Januarius |
| Janus | JAY-nəs | god of beginnings, gates | From Latin Ianus (classical); Latin god’s name attested |
| Joseph | JOH-zəf | Jehovah increases | From Latin Josephus, biblical in the Vulgate |
| Josiah | joh-SY-ə | Yahweh heals/exalts | From Latin Josias (Vulgate), Hebrew origin attested in Latin |
| Joshua | JOSH-oo-ə | Yahweh is salvation | From Latin Iosue/Josue in the Vulgate |
| Jonas | JOH-nəs | dove | Latin Jonas (from Greek/Hebrew), attested in scripture |
| Jonah | JOH-nə | dove | Latin Jonas attested; English form Jonah common |
| Joel | joh-EL | Yahweh is God | Latin Ioel attested in biblical Latin |
| Job | JOHB | persecuted, hated | From Latin Iob, Vulgate attestation of Hebrew name |
| John | JOHN | Yahweh is gracious | From Latin Iohannes, attested throughout Latin tradition |
| Jacob | JAY-kəb | supplanter | From Latin Iacobus, Vulgate attestation |
| James | JAYMZ | supplanter | From Latin Iacobus/Iacomus, medieval Latin attestation |
| Jonathan | JON-ə-thən | Yahweh has given | From Latin Jonathanus, attested in medieval Latin |
| Jeremiah | jer-uh-MY-ə | Yahweh will exalt | From Latin Jeremias, Vulgate attestation of Hebrew name |
| Jeremy | JER-ə-mee | Yahweh will exalt | English variant of Latin Jeremias attested in medieval Latin |
| Jerome | juh-ROHM | sacred name (Greek origin) | From Latin Hieronymus attested; Jerome is English form |
| Joachim | jo-AH-kim | raised by Yahweh | From Latin Ioachim/Ioachim, Vulgate and medieval attestation |
| Jovian | JOH-vee-ən | of Jupiter | From Latin Iovianus/Jovianus; Roman imperial attestation |
| Jove | JOHV | Jupiter | From Latin Jovis (Iovis), poetic Latin attestation |
| Junius | JOO-nee-əs | of the gens Junius | From Roman family name Junius, Latin attestation |
| Justinian | jus-TIN-ee-ən | of Justinus | From Latin Justinianus, Byzantine/Latin attestation |
| Juvenal | JOO-və-nəl | youthful | From Latin Juvenalis/Iuvenalis, poet’s name attested |
| Jovinus | joh-VEE-nəs | pertaining to Jove | From Latin Jovinus, attested in late Roman sources |
| Jasper | JAS-pər | treasurer (traditional) | Medieval Latin Jaspar/Gaspar attested for Magi |
| Jason | JAY-sən | healer | Latin Jason attested (from Greek mythological name) |
| Jude | JOOD | praised / “from Judah” | From Latin Iudas/Iude, Vulgate and ecclesiastical attestation |
| Judas | JOO-dəs | from Judah | From Latin Iudas, New Testament attestation |
| Joash | jo-ASH | given by Yahweh | From Latin Ioas/Joas, Vulgate attestation |
| Jordan | JOR-dən | to descend, flow down | From Latin Jordanus/Iordanes, river name attested |
Descriptions
Julius
Famous Roman family name (Gaius Julius Caesar). Classic, widely used; evokes ancient Rome and imperial history.
Julian
Common English name derived from Julianus; used since antiquity and popular today across Europe.
Justin
Well-known from saints and emperors; simple, modern-sounding with clear classical pedigree.
Justus
Ancient Roman and early Christian name; formal and historical, sometimes used as a virtue name.
Januarius
Rare modern choice; strong Roman and ecclesiastical associations (several early saints named Januarius).
Janus
Name of the two-faced Roman god; used poetically and occasionally as a given name.
Joseph
Timeless biblical name with long Latin attestation; extremely widespread across Christian cultures.
Josiah
Biblical king’s name appearing in Latin scripture; traditional and somewhat rare today.
Joshua
Classic biblical name with long Christian use; common and modern-sounding.
Jonas
Biblical/ancient name present in Latin texts; used in many languages, feels both classical and modern.
Jonah
Famous prophetic figure in the Vulgate; familiar, short, and evocative.
Joel
Simple biblical name with strong Latin attestation; popular and easy to pronounce.
Job
Ancient biblical name, serious tone; attested across Latin scripture and patristic writings.
John
One of the most enduring names in Christian Europe; countless saints and historical figures.
Jacob
Biblical patriarch’s name used widely in Latin, medieval, and modern contexts; common English form begins with J.
James
English development from Latin forms; extremely common in English-speaking world.
Jonathan
Biblical name with clear Latin attestation; popular, friendly modern usage.
Jeremiah
Major prophetic name in the Bible; Latin sources preserve the form Jeremias; English Jeremiah common.
Jeremy
A familiar, shorter English form of Jeremiah; widely used since the Middle Ages.
Jerome
Associated with Saint Jerome, translator of the Vulgate; classical-ecclesiastical resonance.
Joachim
Biblical/saint name appearing in Latin texts; used in medieval and modern Europe.
Jovian
Name of a Roman emperor and later saints; strong classical flavor linked to Jupiter.
Jove
Poetic name for the god Jupiter used in Latin literature; occasional modern use as a distinctive name.
Junius
Roman nomen used historically; rare modern given name with classical pedigree.
Justinian
Famous as Emperor Justinian; grand, historical — often evokes law and empire.
Juvenal
Name of the Roman poet Juvenal; literary and classical, uncommon but distinctive.
Jovinus
Rare Roman/medieval name borne by a usurper and saints; classical and uncommon.
Jasper
Popular modern name with medieval Latin attestations for one of the Magi; friendly and slightly exotic.
Jason
Heroic/Greek name adopted into Latin literature; widely used in modern English.
Jude
Short biblical name common in English; familiar and contemporary while rooted in Latin sources.
Judas
Biblical name with strong Latin attestation; historically significant though heavy associations affect use.
Joash
Biblical king’s name appearing in Latin scripture; rare but attested in Christian tradition.
Jordan
Used as given name from medieval pilgrims; common modern name with long Latin usage.