Baby boy names starting with J extend beyond the realms of John and James. J-names offer a unique sound and are roundly beloved for baby boys. J is the most frequent letter for boy names and the second most common letter for names overall. J baby names for boys are led by James, a classic name with ties to English royals, US presidents, and biblical figures.
Because of the popularity of these names for boys, we have pulled a mix of names you will find in the top 1000 baby names for boys in the US as well as more unique options for adventurous parents who wish to impart a touch of style and character with a moniker. So, if you are feeling quite jovial, joyful, and jolly, please jump on as we reveal our 25 favorite baby boy names for boys starting with J.
25. Justice
If you are after gender-neutral baby boy names that start with J, you are in luck because there are a few excellent options. One of our favorites is Justice, a top 1000 pick since 1992. The name has been trending for girls in recent years. If you are after a more masculine spelling consider the homonymic form Justus.
24. Jaxon
Sure, you could spell this name Jackson, but you could turn up the coolness by choosing the spelling Jaxon. You will find both spellings of the name in the top 1000 as Jackson has long been a popular choice for new parents in the US. As you might have guessed, this name also means “son of Jack.”
23. Jae
Another one of our very favorite baby boy names starting with J is Jae. Jae is another form of the name Jay which you are more than welcome to employ! Jay has Latin origins and means “jaybird.” In the US, the name is often used as a nickname for James. But, in India, the modern variant Jaya in Hindi means “victory.”
22. Jaden
Jaden is one of the baby boy names starting with J that is currently enjoying its time in the sun and has been in the US since 1994. This unisex name has Hebrew origins and means “God has heard.” We love this name very much. However, we caution that it is currently trendy so you may want to choose a different spelling (Jayden, Jaiden, Jadyn, etc.) or go a different direction altogether!
21. Janek
If you are wanting baby boy names starting with J that does not possess the hard J sound, Janek is a great option as it is pronounced YAHN-ek. This is a Polish variation of John that would be excellent to honor your Polish heritage or just bring some variety to the table.
20. Jax
Jax has been a modern favorite for boys since 2005. It is an invented name that sounds very cool and tough and it probably originated as a short form for Jaxon or Jackson. Thus, the name has the meaning “God is gracious.”
19. Janus
The meaning of this ancient Roman god’s name relates to transitions, hence its link to the name of the first month of the new year, a time of fresh beginnings. Janus is usually pictured as a two-faced god facing in opposite directions since he looks both to the future and the past. While this name was popularized by the Romans, it is not Latin. The origins can be traced to a Greek word meaning “gateway.”
18. Jones
Jones is a mildly popular surname name that has not been on the top 1000 list since the 1930s. This old English name evolved from the given name John. Jones, however, sounds distinctive and bold whereas John seems commonplace.
17. Jasper
Of all the baby boy names starting with J, Jasper is experiencing the greatest renaissance as new parents are returning to this old, beloved favorite. Jasper originated as a variation of the Latin Gaspar, which ultimately derived from the Persian word ganzabara, meaning “bringer of treasure.” The name carries the meaning from the Biblical Three Wise Men who brought the infant christ gifts.
16. Javier
Javier has been on the radar for American parents since the 1940s and with good reason. This handsome name is beloved by Spanish-speaking parents as it is the Spanish form of Xavier. This wonderful name has equally marvelous meanings: “new house” or “bright.”
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15. Jeh
Jeh is another possibility that is simply a variation of Jay or Jae. This name belongs to the former US Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson. While he might be the only Jeh we have ever encountered, we do love this form of the name and think more parents should adopt it.
14. Jeptha
You will not find Jeptha on the top 1000 list unless you go all the way back to 1883. The almost forgotten name has biblical, Hebrew origins and means “he opens.” We love this vintage pick and the nickname associated with it, Jep.
13. Josiah
Josiah is derived from Yoshiyahu, a Hebrew name from the parts yoshi, meaning “support,” and Yahu, referring to the Hebrew god. In the Old Testament, Josiah was an upright king of Judah from the age of eight, after his father Amon was murdered. Josiah is firmly in the top 100 names for boys and one of the most popular baby boy names starting with J.
12. Jett
Parents have seen the cool mineral name Jett as a possibility since 1999. Jett surprisingly means “excellence” even though we would have put money on it meaning “black.” If you are looking for a subtle nature name, this would be an amazing option.
11. Jiro
The name Jiro is a boy’s name of Japanese origin meaning “second son.” The name is very, very popular in Japan and not only given to second sons. While the name has yet to enjoy widespread use in the US, we foresee new parents adopting this amazing name in the near future.
10. Joaquin
Of all the baby boy names starting with J, Joaquin and Jasper have both enjoyed the most popularity of their existence in the US in recent years. More popular than ever, Joaquin is a Spanish form of Joachim meaning “God will judge.” This name is red hot right now.
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9. Jacob
Jacob comes from the Latin name Iacobus, which was ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Ya’aqov. In the Old Testament, Jacob was one of the most important patriarchs of the tribes of Israel. The name means “supplanter.” It has historically been one of the English-speaking world’s favorite biblical names for boys.
8. Jovan
Jovan is a joyous baby name that can be found in both Slavic and Latin traditions. Therefore, the name has two distinct meanings: “jove-like” and “majestic.” The latter describes a supreme Roman deity. Unfortunately, Jovan fell from the top 1000 in 2009. It’s one of the few baby boy names starting with J to do so. Bring Jovan back!
7. Jack
Jack is a derivative of John that originated in medieval England. The name went from John to Johnkin to Jankin to Jackin to Jack. The name was so common in the Middle Ages that Jack became a generic term for a man. This English-invented name shares its meaning with the Hebrew derived John, “God is gracious.”
6. Jamal
Jamal is an Arabic boys’ name meaning “beauty.” Jamal and its variants are popular in the Muslim community, although Jamal’s popularity within the US has decreased in recent years. It still firmly sits in the top 1000 but it’s nowhere near the height of its popularity in the 1980s.
5. Jason
In Greek myth, Jason is the leader of the Argonauts who went in search of the Golden Fleece, while in the Bible he was an early Christian who was hospitable to St. Paul. Jason was the third most popular name for boys throughout the seventies. This Greek name is still very, very popular and means “to heal.”
4. Joel
In the mid 1960s, Joel entered the top 100, and perched there for about twenty years as parents tried to jazz up and formalize old standby Joe by reviving this biblical name. This handsome standard has Hebrew origins and means “Jehovah is God.”
3. Julien
Julien is the handsome French form of Julian, which derives from Julius, a Roman family name. Its origin is shrouded in history, but possible roots include Latin iuvenis, meaning “youthful.” This name hit its height of popularity in the early aughts, but it’s not going away any time soon.
2. Jovani
Jovani is a modern invented name that we love. If you are looking for truly unique baby boy names starting with J, Jovani and its many variants are ripe for the picking. Jovani is a mashup of Jovan and Giovanni and shares its meaning with Jovan.
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1. Jude
Jude is an example of a name whose image was turned on its head primarily by one appealing celebrity (hint, hint: Jude Law). Saint Jude was the apostle who interceded for people with problems and became the patron saint of lost causes. Thus, this Latin form of Judah means “praised.” This name is currently more popular today than it has ever been before for new parents!
There you go! We hope you enjoyed these baby boy names starting with J and will jump at the chance to use one of them for your son. Strong, charming, and full of characters these names will never let you down.
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