Jolie
GirlFrench· “pretty”
- Meaning
- pretty
- Origin
- French
- Pronunciation
- joh-LEE
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,030
- US babies 2025
- 243
- Best rank
- #564 (2008)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Jolie
Jolie is a French name that means “pretty”.
Jolie is the French word for "pretty." It came into use as a given name in the English-speaking world in the twentieth century, and the actress Angelina Jolie, who uses it as her surname, gave it wide recognition. Jolie is light, cheerful and stylish, with a clearly positive meaning. In French it is pronounced zho-LEE, while in English it is usually joh-LEE. It fits well with French-flavored names like Belle and Colette and also works as a middle name. Jo is a simple nickname.
Popularity over time
Jolie first appears in US Social Security records in 1947. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 32 different years, starting in 1968. Its best national rank was #564 in 2008, the same year it reached its highest count of 546 babies. In 2025, 243 babies were named Jolie, and it ranked #1,030 nationally. That is 35% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,883 in 1950, #1,346 in 1980, #820 in 2000, #702 in 2010, and #1,030 in 2025. Of the 14,099 US girls named Jolie since records began, 31% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 3,901 babies. Since 2010, 5,869 more have been named Jolie.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Arely, Janessa, Madalynn, Amani, and Karlee.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jolie ranked highest in Louisiana, Connecticut, and Alabama.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | #173 | 24 |
| Connecticut | #363 | 8 |
| Alabama | #762 | 6 |
| Oklahoma | #770 | 5 |
| New York | #809 | 20 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Jolie is usually pronounced joh-LEE, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with J and ends in “-ie”.
Middle names for Jolie
A few middle names that flow with Jolie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jolie
Similar names
Lists that include Jolie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jolie mean?
Jolie is a French name that means “pretty”.
What is the origin of the name Jolie?
Jolie has French roots. Jolie is the French word for "pretty." It came into use as a given name in the English-speaking world in the twentieth century, and the actress Angelina Jolie, who uses it as her surname, gave it wide recognition.
Is Jolie a popular name?
Not especially. Jolie ranked #1,030 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Jolie a boy or girl name?
Jolie is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Jolie?
Jolie is usually pronounced joh-LEE. 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