Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Joy
GirlEnglish· “joy, happiness”
- Meaning
- joy, happiness
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- JOY
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #419
- US babies 2025
- 747
- Best rank
- #109 (1974)
- Peak year
- 1957
Meaning and origin of Joy
Joy is an English name that means “joy, happiness”.
Joy comes straight from the English word for great happiness. The word came into English through Old French from the Latin gaudium, gladness. Joy was used as a given name in the Middle Ages and was revived by the Puritans, who favored virtue names such as Hope, Faith and Grace. It became more popular in the twentieth century and still feels warm and uncomplicated. Joy works nicely as a middle name as well, and it forms a part of longer names such as Joyce, although Joyce has a different origin.
Other spellings with the same sound: Joye.
Popularity over time
Joy first appears in US Social Security records in 1885. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 140 different years, starting in 1885. Its best national rank was #109 in 1974, and the most babies received it in 1957, when 2,929 were named Joy. In 2025, 747 babies were named Joy, and it ranked #419 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #337 in 1920, #159 in 1950, #165 in 1980, #457 in 2000, #478 in 2010, and #419 in 2025. Of the 140,694 US girls named Joy since records began, 17% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 21,756 babies. Since 2010, 12,059 more have been named Joy.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Vicky, Marianne, Patti, Doreen, and Debora.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Joy ranked highest in Maine, Nevada, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | #191 | 6 |
| Nevada | #274 | 10 |
| Maryland | #289 | 18 |
| Massachusetts | #295 | 20 |
| Oklahoma | #302 | 14 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Joy over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Joy is usually pronounced JOY, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with J and ends in “-oy”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Joye.
Middle names for Joy
A few middle names that flow with Joy: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Joy
Similar names
Faith Girl
FAYTH
“faith, trust” · English
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Hope Girl
HOHP
“hope” · English
#352
Tru Unisex
TROO
“true, faithful” · English
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Love Girl
LUHV
“love” · English
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Grace Girl
GRAYS
“grace” · English
#38
Jane Girl
JAYN
“God is gracious” · English
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Faye Girl
FAY
“fairy” · English
#515
Serenity Girl
suh-REH-nih-tee
“calm, tranquility” · English
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Brooke Girl
BROOK
“small stream” · English
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Paige Girl
PAYJ
“young servant, page” · English
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Gracie Girl
GRAY-see
“grace” · English
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Rose Girl
ROHZ
“the rose flower” · Latin
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Lists that include Joy
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joy mean?
Joy is an English name that means “joy, happiness”.
What is the origin of the name Joy?
Joy has English roots. Joy comes straight from the English word for great happiness.
Is Joy a popular name?
Yes. Joy ranked #419 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Joy a boy or girl name?
Joy is mainly a girl's name. About 98% of US babies named Joy over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Joy?
Joy is usually pronounced JOY. 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