Joss

♀ Girl

Pronounced JOSS /ˈdʒɒs/High

Meaning: Joss is a one-syllable short form of Jocelyn or Joslyn, from the Germanic Gautzelin brought to England by the Normans. It is used for both girls and boys, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: One brisk syllable: Joss shortens Jocelyn, a Norman name of Germanic roots (said 'JOSS'). It is unisex, which we note.

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Origin LowEnglish, Germanic

MeaningJoss is a one-syllable short form of Jocelyn or Joslyn, from the Germanic Gautzelin brought to England by the Normans. It is used for both girls and boys, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#14227 ↘ Falling

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

Peak year2006

Total births (all-time)≈ 250

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

Joss is the clipped form of Jocelyn or Joslyn, whose root is the Germanic Gautzelin, carried into England by the Normans. In modern British and American use it reads as a crisp, unisex nickname-name, worn by women and men alike (said 'JOSS').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S. Rare, short, and unisex.

Did you know? Joss is used for girls and boys alike — a short form of Jocelyn, a name that was itself a boys' name for centuries before it turned to girls. We note the unisex use honestly (said 'JOSS').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Joss — Short form of Jocelyn/Joslyn; unisex use

Variations

JosJocelynJosse

Nicknames

Jossy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Joss…

Jocelyn— the fuller name Joss shortens

Tess— a like crisp one-syllable name

Wren— another short unisex-leaning pick

Jules— a like brisk nickname-name

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By themeunisex short germanic nickname-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Joss mean?

Joss is a short form of Jocelyn or Joslyn, from the Germanic Gautzelin brought to England by the Normans.

How do you pronounce Joss?

It's said JOSS /ˈdʒɒs/ — one syllable.

Is Joss a boy or girl name?

Joss is unisex — used for both girls and boys, which we note.

How popular is Joss?

Joss is a rare name for girls in the U.S.