The nameJoy

Joy is a girl's name from the English word for happiness. Simple and cheerful, it is often used as a middle name.

Girl's name
English

Meaning

Joy comes from the Old French joie, from the Latin gaudium, "joy, delight".

Origin

English. Joy became a name with the Puritans, who liked virtue names.

History

Joy reached the American top 110. Joy Adamson, author of Born Free, is a famous bearer.

Famous people named Joy

Joy Adamson, writer and naturalist
Joy Division, band
Joy, Inside Out character

Popularity of the name Joy

Joy in the United States

442ndmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024

1957peak year (2,945 births)

142,535babies named Joy in the United States since 1880

Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Joy was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 24,701 births over the decade, 17% of all recorded babies named Joy. Its rise began around 1917, and it peaked in 1957. Half of all babies named Joy in the United States were born before 1962, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 744 births a year on average, against 908 in the five years before.

Joy in the United Kingdom

518thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025

2023peak year (102 births)

2,183babies named Joy in the United Kingdom since 1997

Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Joy was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 781 births over the decade, 36% of all recorded babies named Joy. Half of all babies named Joy in the United Kingdom were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 96 births a year.

Joy in Ireland

642ndmost popular girls' name in Ireland in 2025

1982peak year (30 births)

654babies named Joy in Ireland since 1964

Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Joy in France

104thmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures

2021peak year (760 births)

10,005babies named Joy in France since 1900

Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Joy in Belgium

498thmost popular girls' name in Belgium in 2025

1995peak year (52 births)

696babies named Joy in Belgium since 1995

Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Joy in Switzerland

265thmost popular girls' name in Switzerland in 2025

2001peak year (45 births)

892babies named Joy in Switzerland since 2000

Births per year in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Sibling names for Joy

Names from the same generation as Joy, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Joy? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Joy in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Joy mean?

Joy comes from the Old French joie, from the Latin gaudium, "joy, delight".

What is the origin of the name Joy?

English. Joy became a name with the Puritans, who liked virtue names.

Is Joy a girl's or a boy's name?

Joy is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Joy?

In 2024, Joy was the 442nd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 702 births.

What are good sibling names for Joy?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Eve, Tessa, Annie and Mariam for a sister, Franklin, Noel, Kieran and Francis for a brother.

Who are famous people named Joy?

Joy Adamson, writer and naturalist; Joy Division, band; Joy, Inside Out character.