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Home › Baby Names Directory › Jay

Jay

♀ Girl

Pronounced JAY /ˈdʒeɪ/High

Meaning: Variously the bird name jay and a short form of names like James/Jane; also from Latin gaius, linked to 'to rejoice'; used for both sexes (leans male); here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A jay (the bird); to rejoice: Jay is a short bird/name. Crisp, breezy, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for girls; said 'JAY').
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Origin LowEnglish, Latin
MeaningVariously the bird name jay and a short form of names like James/Jane; also from Latin gaius, linked to 'to rejoice'; used for both sexes (leans male); here for girls; routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#7043 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births16 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1962
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,575

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196218962024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Jay is variously the bird name jay and a short form of names like James/Jane, also linked to Latin gaius, 'to rejoice' (routes layered, which we note). Used for both sexes (it leans male), here for girls (slug distinguished; said 'JAY').

In the U.S. it leans male as a standalone name. Rare for girls, a-jay-bird-and-to-rejoice at the root, and breezy.

Did you know? Jay is the name of the bright blue bird and a short form of names like James and Jane — also linked to Latin gaius, 'to rejoice' — a crisp, breezy name, used for both sexes (leans male; here for girls; said 'JAY').
Overall data confidence 36%
References — Jay — unisex; routes layered

Variations

JayeJai

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Jay…

Wren— a fellow bird nature-name girls' name
Lark— a companion bird nature-name girls' name
June— another short one-syllable girls' name
Ray— a similarly popular pick
Rey— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Jay

By themeuncertainenglishlatinunisexnature-name
By meaningBirdSnow / Winter

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jay mean?

Jay is variously the bird name and a short form of James/Jane, also linked to 'to rejoice'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Jay?

It's said JAY /ˈdʒeɪ/ — one syllable.

Is Jay a boy or girl name?

Jay is used for both sexes (it leans male); this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Jay?

Jay is rare for girls in the U.S.

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