Home › Baby Names Directory › Josilyn

Josilyn

♀ Girl

Pronounced JOS-uh-lin /ˈdʒɒs.ə.lɪn/High

Meaning: Josilyn is a modern spelling of Jocelyn, from the Germanic Gautzelin — a diminutive linked to the Gauts — brought into England by Norman settlers. The -lyn ending aligns it with Madelyn, Ashlyn and Evelyn.Low

In 30 seconds: Jocelyn in a modern coat: Josilyn traces to a Germanic name the Normans carried to England (said 'JOS-uh-lin').

💕 Browse more names

Origin LowGermanic, English

MeaningJosilyn is a modern spelling of Jocelyn, from the Germanic Gautzelin — a diminutive linked to the Gauts — brought into England by Norman settlers. The -lyn ending aligns it with Madelyn, Ashlyn and Evelyn.

U.S. rank (2024)#14225 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2006

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,127

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Josilyn respells Jocelyn, a name Norman French carried into England from the Germanic Gautzelin, a diminutive connected with the Gauts. For centuries it served boys; it became a girls' name in the twentieth century, and spellings multiplied — Joslyn, Josilyn, Joselyn (said 'JOS-uh-lin').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S. Rare, modern, and smooth.

Did you know? Josilyn is one of many respellings of Jocelyn, whose root is a Germanic name tied to the Gauts. The -lyn ending is the modern American touch (said 'JOS-uh-lin').

Overall data confidence 48%

References — Josilyn — Jocelyn respelling; Germanic Gautzelin via Norman French

Variations

JocelynJoselynJosalyn

Nicknames

JosieJossLyn

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Josilyn…

Jocelyn— the standard name Josilyn respells

Joselyn— a near-twin spelling

Madelyn— a like -lyn name in sound

Evelyn— another three-beat -lyn classic

Explore names like Josilyn

By thememodern respelling germanic trendy

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Josilyn mean?

Josilyn is a spelling of Jocelyn, from the Germanic Gautzelin, a name connected with the Gauts and brought to England by the Normans.

How do you pronounce Josilyn?

It's said JOS-uh-lin /ˈdʒɒs.ə.lɪn/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Josilyn a boy or girl name?

Josilyn is used as a girl's name, though the older Jocelyn was historically a boys' name.

How popular is Josilyn?

Josilyn is rare in the U.S.; Jocelyn is much more common.