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Justin

♂ Boy

Pronounced JUS-tin /ˈdʒʌs.tɪn/High

Meaning: Just, righteous, fair — from Latin Justinus, a derivative of iustus (just, righteous, fair)High

In 30 seconds: From the Latin for 'just' and 'righteous,' Justin is a Roman classic that dominated the U.S. top 10 boys' names in the 1980s and 1990s and carries the confident energy of Justin Timberlake and Justin Bieber.

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Origin HighLatin

MeaningJust, righteous, fair — from Latin Justinus, a derivative of iustus (just, righteous, fair)

Peak year1988

Total births (all-time)≈ 773,093

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Justin derives from the Latin Justinus, a diminutive of Iustus (just, righteous, lawful), from ius (law, right). Several early Christian saints bore the name, most notably Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD). The name was popular in the Roman Empire and spread through Catholic and Orthodox Christianity.

Justin was a top-10 boys' name in the United States through much of the 1980s and 1990s. Though it has fallen from that peak, it remains in the top 100. Famous bearers include pop stars Justin Timberlake and Justin Bieber, both of whom kept the name in wide cultural view.

Did you know? Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD) was one of the earliest Christian apologists — a philosopher who converted to Christianity and wrote influential defenses of the faith. He was martyred for refusing to sacrifice to Roman gods, and his writings remain foundational texts of Christian philosophy.

Variations

JustynJustine

Nicknames

JustJus

Famous Bearers

★Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD)
Early Christian philosopher and apologist, one of the first to integrate Greek philosophy with Christian theology.
★Justin Timberlake (b. 1981)
American singer, songwriter, and actor who was a major pop star from the late 1990s onward.

If you like Justin…

Jason— two-syllable J name equally popular in the 1980s and 1990s

Jordan— two-syllable J name with the same 1990s mainstream American peak

Dylan— two-syllable boys' name from the same late-20th-century generation

Austin— two-syllable place-name surname popular in the same era

Frequently Asked

What does the name Justin mean?

Justin comes from Latin Justinus, from iustus meaning 'just,' 'righteous,' or 'fair.'

How do you pronounce Justin?

Justin is pronounced JUS-tin /ˈdʒʌs.tɪn/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Justin a boy or girl name?

Justin is a boys' name. The feminine form is Justine.

How popular is Justin?

Justin was a U.S. top-10 boys' name through much of the 1980s and 1990s and remains in the top 100 today.