Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jay
BoyEnglish, Latin· “jay bird; short for J-names”
- Meaning
- jay bird; short for J-names
- Origin
- English, Latin
- Pronunciation
- JAY
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #392
- US babies 2025
- 809
- Best rank
- #78 (1960)
- Peak year
- 1960
Meaning and origin of Jay
Jay is an English and Latin name that is usually said to mean “jay bird; short for J-names”.
Jay is a simple name with two sources. It is the name of the jay, a colorful and noisy bird of the crow family, a word that came into English through Old French from Late Latin. Jay is also a short form of any name starting with J, such as James, Jason or Jacob. Jay Gatsby, the title character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, is a famous fictional bearer, and American statesman John Jay carried it as a surname. Jay is short, friendly and timeless, and it works especially well as a middle name.
Other spellings with the same sound: Jaye, Jae.
Popularity over time
Jay has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #78 in 1960, the same year it reached its highest count of 5,385 babies. In 2025, 809 babies were named Jay, and it ranked #392 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #201 in 1920, #115 in 1950, #141 in 1980, #326 in 2000, #410 in 2010, and #392 in 2025. Of the 195,548 US boys named Jay since records began, 22% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 36,969 babies. Since 2010, 12,961 more have been named Jay.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Greg, Darryl, Jim, Tom, and Dean.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jay ranked highest in Utah, South Dakota, and Maine.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | #173 | 32 |
| South Dakota | #206 | 7 |
| Maine | #248 | 5 |
| Iowa | #282 | 14 |
| Indiana | #295 | 27 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Jay over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Jay is usually pronounced JAY, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with J and ends in “-ay”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Jaye and Jae.
Middle names for Jay
A few middle names that flow with Jay: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jay
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Lists that include Jay
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jay mean?
Jay is an English and Latin name that is usually said to mean “jay bird; short for J-names”.
What is the origin of the name Jay?
Jay has English and Latin roots. Jay is a simple name with two sources.
Is Jay a popular name?
Yes. Jay ranked #392 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Jay a boy or girl name?
Jay is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Jay over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Jay?
Jay is usually pronounced JAY. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings