25 Joyful Names for Boys that Start with J

Choosing a name for your baby can feel like a stressful chore. If you don’t know where to start, a great way to begin brainstorming is to choose a letter and think of names that begin with it. For instance, you might want your baby boy to share the same initials as someone in your family. If your name is John, you can get inspired by other names that start with J.

Names that begin with J often convey jubilance, joy, and jazziness. We did our very best to find the coolest, most unique names for boys along with some time-tested favorites. Here are 25 baby names for boys that start with J that you will absolutely jump for joy over.

25. Jaxon

The alternative spelling of Jackson, Jaxon is a cool and fresh way to invigorate this name. Jaxon is an English name that means “son of Jack.” So, if you’re a dad named Jack, this would be the one. Jaxon is currently the 39th most popular name for boys in the US.

24. Julian

Julian is the English form of the Latin name Julius and it means “youthful” or “downy.” Julian is another name that lands in the top 50 trailing just behind Jaxon. Lisa Kudrow named her son Julian after he was born in 1998.

23. Jose

Jose is the favored Spanish and Portuguese form of Joseph which comes from Hebrew and means “Jehovah increases.” Jose is a handsome name and many people agree as it is the 89th most popular name for boys. Pepe and Pepito are cute nicknames associated with this name.

22. Jasper

Jasper has Persian origins and means “bringer of treasure.” The name is also related to a “speckled stone” called jasper. Jasper has been climbing up the baby name charts over the last several years and it’s sitting pretty at 154th.

21. Jaiden

You’ll find Jaiden, Jayden, and Jaiden in the top 500, which makes this name and its many forms one of the very most beloved names for boys and girls. This unisex name comes from Hebrew and means “God has heard.”

20. Jonas

Jonas is the Greek form of the name Jonah which means “dove.” In the US, where the name ranks 437th, many parents think the name feels dated. Europeans don’t agree! The name is enjoying renewed interest in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Norway.

19. Jamari

Jamari is a contemporary version of Jamal, a name with Arabic origins that means “beauty.” In the US, Jamari is now a more popular name than Tony, Chris, and Neil. We love this fresh name and its handsome meaning.

18. Jet

You’ll find the name Jett on the top 1000 list, but we prefer it spelled with one “T.” Jet is a mineral name that refers to a black gemstone. Jet’s popularity is growing. We love to see it!

17. Jovani

Jovani likely comes from Giovanni, “God is gracious” or Jovan, “majestic.” Jovan was the name of a Roman deity who reigned supreme. Jovani is a fun, romantic name that might soon make the top 1000.

16. Jud

Jude and Judah are much more popular than the short and sweet Jud. Jud is a diminutive of Judson, an English name that means “son of Jordan.” If you’ve seen the musical, Oklahoma! you’re probably familiar with this name. Let’s reclaim “Poor Jud!”

15. Jove

We mentioned a Roman deity in connection with the name Jovani. Jove is another name for Jupiter, the god of gods in Roman mythology. Therefore, this mythological name means “majestic.”

14. Jace

Jace is the 90th most popular name for boys in the US. Jace is a shortened form of Jason and comes from Hebrew. It means “the Lord is salvation.” Parents pronounce this name in one of two ways. The first: like the beginning of the name Jason, rhyming with face. Or, alternatively, the name is said like J.C.

13. Junior

Today, the adorable name Junior sits at 794th in popularity. It peaked in 1925 when it was the 112th most favored name for boys. The name has always ranked in the top 1000 since naming records began in the 1880s. Junior has Latin origins and means “young.”

12. Jermaine

Jermaine is a cool form of Germaine, a French name that means “from Germany.” Jermaine makes the top 1000 list, but its appeal has fallen since its height in the 1970s. We probably have Jermaine Jackson of The Jackson Five fame to thank for its 70s surge.

11. Johan

Johan is the German form of John and comes from Hebrew. Johan means “God is gracious.” Johan has been in or near the top 500 names in the US for the last two decades. Johan sounds sophisticated and cool and perhaps that’s why Heidi Klum chose the name for her son.

10. Joaquin

Joaquin is a Spanish form of a Hebrew name that means “God will judge.” Joaquin is a fantastic name for boys that you’ll hear across the US but it’s also heavily used in Latin American countries like Chile and Argentina.

9. Jagger

Jagger has been a top 1000 name for boys since 2001. Jagger is an English occupational name that means “carter.” Of course, the reason this name enjoys such popularity is due to Rolling Stone’s frontman and rock legend, Mick Jagger. Ashlee Simpson is the latest celebrity to pick the name for her daughter. While the name is popular for boys, celebrities like Simpson are giving it to girls as well.

8. Jiro

You won’t find the Japanese name, Jiro in the top 1000 in the US, but we sure hope that changes. The name is wildly popular in Japan where it means “second son.” Jiro Ono who is regarded as one of the best sushi chefs in the world is 93-years-old and can still be found in the kitchen preparing his delicious dishes.

7. Janus

Janus is an ancient name with Greek origins that means “gateway.” The Roman god of new beginnings, Janus is where the name of the month January came from and it signals a fresh start to the year. Janus is a handsome name that we’d love for more parents to choose.

6. Jameson

Not a bottle of whiskey, but rather the “son of James.” This English name for boys is enjoying a moment in the sun. It entered the top 100 for the first time in 2017. It’s one of the hottest names for boys and its charming appeal is easy to recognize.

5. Julio

Julio is the Spanish form of Julius and we must admit we like it better. This name for boys means “youthful” and we expect it to be in at least the top 500 the next time naming data is released. It currently is the 522nd most popular name for boys in the US.

4. Jairo

Similar to both Jiro and Julio, Jairo is a Spanish name with Hebrew origins. It comes from the name Jairus which means “God enlightens.” Jairo made the top 1000 in 2018. The name is extremely popular in Columbia and there are many professional footballers there with the name.

3. Juelz

Juelz is a popular form of the unisex name Jules. Juelz made the top 1000 list for the first time in 2018. We might have rapper Juelz Santana to thank for this name’s popularity. It’s a shortened form of Julius like many other names on this list.

RELATED: 25 Jubilant Baby Names for Girls That Start With J

2. Justus

In the 1990s, the name Justus made a comeback after not appearing on the top 1000 list from 1904 to 1993. Justus needed a century off, we guess. As the popular gender-neutral name, Justice has started to trend toward girls, Justus is a nice masculine option. Justus comes from Latin and like Justice, it means “just.”

1. Javier

Javier is of Basque origins and it’s the Spanish and Arabic form of Xavier. Javier’s popularity has surged over the last few decades thanks, in part, to Spanish actor Javier Bardem who consistently impresses. The name means “bright” and we certainly think it shines.

We hope you enjoyed these 25 names for boys that start with J and they inspired you to find a jolly-good name.