Joey

♂ Boy

Pronounced JOH-ee /ˈdʒoʊ.iː/High

Meaning: Diminutive of Joseph, from Hebrew Yosef meaning He (God) will add or increase; used as an independent given name since at least the 20th centuryHigh

In 30 seconds: Joey is a cheerful diminutive of Joseph, a Hebrew name meaning God will add, that has stood on its own as a given name in English-speaking countries throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningDiminutive of Joseph, from Hebrew Yosef meaning He (God) will add or increase; used as an independent given name since at least the 20th century

U.S. rank (2025)#877 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births274 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1962

Total births (all-time)≈ 53,748

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Joey began as a pet form of Joseph, which derives from Hebrew Yosef (God will add or increase). Joseph is one of the most storied names in the Bible — borne by the patriarch sold into slavery in Egypt and by the foster father of Jesus. The familiar form Joe appeared in English by the Middle Ages, and Joey emerged as the more playful double-diminutive suffix version. By the 20th century Joey was being given as a standalone birth name rather than merely a nickname, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.

Joey gained additional cultural currency in the United States through the long-running sitcom Friends (1994–2004), where the lovable character Joey Tribbiani, played by Matt LeBlanc, made the name synonymous with warmth, humor, and charm. In Australian English the word joey independently means a baby kangaroo, giving the name a double layer of youthful connotation. It has remained popular as both a given name and a nickname throughout the English-speaking world.

Did you know? In Australian English, a joey is also the word for a baby kangaroo, making the name doubly endearing in Australian culture and giving it an association with youth and new beginnings.

Overall data confidence 93%

Behind the Name — Joseph — etymology and historyBehind the Name — Joey — standalone usage

Variations

JoeJosephJo

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Joey Ramone (1951–2001)
American singer and co-founder of the punk rock band the Ramones, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in punk music history.

If you like Joey…

Joe— the base short form of the same Joseph root with an identical casual feel

Jonah— short, friendly biblical boys name with the same accessible warmth

Jasper— two-syllable boys name with a similarly cheerful vintage-cool energy

Freddie— diminutive-feel boys name ending in -ee with the same friendly, retro charm

Frequently Asked

What does the name Joey mean?

Joey is a diminutive of Joseph, which comes from Hebrew Yosef meaning God will add or increase.

Is Joey a standalone name or just a nickname?

Joey is used both as a nickname for Joseph and as a full given name in its own right.

Is Joey a boy or girl name?

Joey is used mostly as a boys name, though it occasionally appears as a girls name as a form of Josephine.

Why is a baby kangaroo called a joey?

The Australian slang word joey for a baby kangaroo is unrelated to the personal name; it is thought to derive from a 19th-century Australian slang term for a small coin or a small creature.