Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jones
BoyWelsh, English· “son of John”
- Meaning
- son of John
- Origin
- Welsh, English
- Pronunciation
- JOHNZ
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #811
- US babies 2025
- 306
- Best rank
- #533 (1884)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Jones
Jones is a Welsh and English name that means “son of John”.
Jones is the Welsh surname meaning "son of John," formed from the name John with the possessive -s. John goes back to the Hebrew Yochanan, "God is gracious." Jones became one of the most common surnames in Wales and across the English-speaking world, and it appears in expressions like "keeping up with the Joneses." As a first name it is unusual, fitting a modern taste for surname names with a crisp, one-syllable sound. Jones feels relaxed and a little literary, and it works well as a middle name too.
Popularity over time
Jones 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 43 different years. Its best national rank was #533 in 1884, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 306 were named Jones. In 2025, 306 babies were named Jones, and it ranked #811 nationally. That is 186% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #905 in 1920, #1,354 in 1950, #3,174 in 1980, #5,168 in 2000, #2,489 in 2010, and #811 in 2025. Of the 5,357 US boys named Jones since records began, 29% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,080 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Benedict, Azai, Jrue, Mccoy, and Brewer.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jones ranked highest in Utah, Oregon, and Georgia.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 95% of US babies named Jones over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Jones is usually pronounced JOHNZ, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with J and ends in “-es”.
Middle names for Jones
A few middle names that flow with Jones: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jones
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Lists that include Jones
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jones mean?
Jones is a Welsh and English name that means “son of John”.
What is the origin of the name Jones?
Jones has Welsh and English roots. Jones is the Welsh surname meaning "son of John," formed from the name John with the possessive -s.
Is Jones a popular name?
Yes. Jones ranked #811 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Jones a boy or girl name?
Jones is mainly a boy's name. About 95% of US babies named Jones over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Jones?
Jones is usually pronounced JOHNZ. 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