Joy

♂ Boy

Pronounced JOY /ˈdʒɔɪ/High

Meaning: From the word joy — from Latin gaudia, 'great happiness, delight, gladness'; here for boysMedium

In 30 seconds: Pure gladness: Joy is the virtue word-name for delight and happiness. Bright, warm, and uplifting — used for both sexes (popular in Nigerian families).

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Origin MediumLatin, English

MeaningFrom the word joy — from Latin gaudia, 'great happiness, delight, gladness'; here for boys

U.S. rank (2025)#3993 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births27 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1922

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,629

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

Joy comes from the word joy — from Latin gaudia, 'great happiness, delight, gladness'. A bright, warm virtue word-name, used for both sexes, here for boys; it's especially popular in Nigerian families.

It registers thinly for boys. Rare for boys, great-happiness at the root, and uplifting.

Did you know? Joy, from Latin gaudia ('great happiness, delight'), is a bright virtue word-name — used for both sexes, and especially beloved in Nigerian families.

Overall data confidence 58%

Oxford English Dictionary — joy — word origin

Variations

Joye

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Joy…

Blessing— a fellow virtue word-name

Promise— a companion virtue word-name

Coy— echoes that soft -y sound

Sky— another English name

Zay— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Joy

By themeenglish latin unisex word-name virtue

By meaningJoy

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Joy mean?

Joy is the word for 'great happiness, delight, gladness' (Latin gaudia).

How do you pronounce Joy?

It's said JOY /ˈdʒɔɪ/ — a single syllable.

Is Joy a boy or girl name?

Joy is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Joy?

Joy is rare for boys in the U.S.