Noah Boy
NOH-uh
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#2
Jules
UnisexFrench, Latin· “French form of Julius”
- Meaning
- French form of Julius
- Origin
- French, Latin
- Pronunciation
- JOOLZ
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,396
- US babies 2025
- 131
- Best rank
- #412 (1893)
- Peak year
- 1928
Meaning and origin of Jules
Jules is a French and Latin name that is usually said to mean “French form of Julius”.
Jules is the French form of Julius, a Roman family name whose meaning is uncertain but is traditionally linked to Iulus, the son of Aeneas. It is well known through Jules Verne, the French author of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, and it has long been a classic boys' name in France. In English it also serves as a nickname for Julia, Julian and Juliet, which makes it genuinely unisex. Jules feels artistic, cosmopolitan and easygoing. Its single syllable pairs well with longer middle names.
Popularity over time
Jules 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 81 different years. Its best national rank was #412 in 1893, and the most babies received it in 1928, when 154 were named Jules. In 2025, 131 babies were named Jules, and it ranked #1,396 nationally. That is 38% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #652 in 1920, #765 in 1950, #1,420 in 1980, #1,934 in 2000, #2,301 in 2010, and #1,396 in 2025. Of the 9,383 US boys named Jules since records began, 13% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 1,005 babies. Since 2010, 1,440 more have been named Jules.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Verlyn, Merlin, and Lupe.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jules ranked highest in Louisiana, New York, and Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | #627 | 7 |
| New York | #756 | 19 |
| Virginia | #928 | 7 |
| California | #947 | 24 |
| Georgia | #1157 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Jules is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 48% of US babies named Jules were girls and 52% were boys.
Jules is usually pronounced JOOLZ, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with J and ends in “-es”.
Middle names for Jules
A few middle names that flow with Jules: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jules
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Lists that include Jules
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jules mean?
Jules is a French and Latin name that is usually said to mean “French form of Julius”.
What is the origin of the name Jules?
Jules has French and Latin roots. Jules is the French form of Julius, a Roman family name whose meaning is uncertain but is traditionally linked to Iulus, the son of Aeneas.
Is Jules a popular name?
Not especially. Jules ranked #1,396 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Jules a boy or girl name?
Jules is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 48% of US babies named Jules were girls and 52% were boys.
How do you pronounce Jules?
Jules is usually pronounced JOOLZ. 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