Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Junior
BoyEnglish, Latin· “younger”
- Meaning
- younger
- Origin
- English, Latin
- Pronunciation
- JOON-yur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #752
- US babies 2025
- 343
- Best rank
- #115 (1925)
- Peak year
- 1926
Meaning and origin of Junior
Junior is an English and Latin name that means “younger”.
Junior comes from the Latin iunior, younger, the comparative of iuvenis, young. In English it is the traditional suffix for a son who shares his father's full name, and it became a common nickname for such sons before being given as a first name in its own right. As a given name it is especially established in the Caribbean and in Brazil, where Júnior is often added after a father's name, as with the footballer Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior. The American football linebacker Tiaina Seau was known throughout his career as Junior Seau.
Other spellings with the same sound: Jr.
Popularity over time
Junior first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 135 different years, starting in 1882. Its best national rank was #115 in 1925, and the most babies received it in 1926, when 1,590 were named Junior. In 2025, 343 babies were named Junior, and it ranked #752 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #193 in 1920, #407 in 1950, #802 in 1980, #674 in 2000, #768 in 2010, and #752 in 2025. Of the 42,987 US boys named Junior since records began, 30% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 8,004 babies. Since 2010, 4,891 more have been named Junior.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Rudolph, Earnest, Salvatore, Merle, and Eldon.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Junior ranked highest in Massachusetts, Nevada, and North Carolina.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #451 | 11 |
| Nevada | #550 | 5 |
| North Carolina | #581 | 17 |
| Oklahoma | #591 | 7 |
| Wisconsin | #596 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Junior is usually pronounced JOON-yur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with J and ends in “-or”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Jr.
Middle names for Junior
A few middle names that flow with Junior: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Junior
Similar names
Victor Boy
VIHK-tur
“conqueror” · Latin
#211
Francis Boy
FRAN-suhs
“Frenchman” · Latin
#420
Austin Boy
AWS-tuhn
“great, venerable” · English
#113
Martin Boy
MAR-tin
“of Mars” · Latin
#335
Lawrence Boy
LAW-ruhns
“from Laurentum” · Latin
#520
Tony Boy
TOH-nee
“short form of Anthony” · English
#784
Larry Boy
LAIR-ee
“from Laurentum; short for Lawrence” · English
#1,085
Ollie Unisex
AH-lee
“short form of Oliver or Olivia” · English
#1,058
Amias Boy
AY-mee-us
“loved” · Latin
#642
Amor Unisex
ah-MOR
“love” · Spanish
#1,668
Chester Boy
CHEHS-tur
“fortified camp; from an English place” · English
#1,588
Christian Boy
KRIHS-chuhn
“follower of Christ” · Latin
#96
Lists that include Junior
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Junior mean?
Junior is an English and Latin name that means “younger”.
What is the origin of the name Junior?
Junior has English and Latin roots. Junior comes from the Latin iunior, younger, the comparative of iuvenis, young.
Is Junior a popular name?
Yes. Junior ranked #752 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Junior a boy or girl name?
Junior is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Junior?
Junior is usually pronounced JOON-yur. 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