Jr

♂ Boy

Pronounced JOO-nee-ər /ˈdʒu.ni.ər/High

Meaning: From 'Junior' (abbreviated JR) — Latin junior, 'younger' — given to a son named after his fatherMedium

In 30 seconds: The younger one: Jr is 'Junior' — Latin for 'younger' — traditionally a son named for his father, now sometimes a name in its own right. Warm and familial.

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Origin MediumLatin, English

MeaningFrom 'Junior' (abbreviated JR) — Latin junior, 'younger' — given to a son named after his father

U.S. rank (2025)#4315 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births24 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1989

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,729

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

Jr is the abbreviation of Junior — Latin junior, 'younger' — traditionally appended to a son with his father's name. Through affectionate everyday use, it has become a given name on its own.

It registers thinly as a standalone. Rare, younger at the root, and familial.

Did you know? Jr (Junior) marks a son who shares his father's name — from Latin junior, 'younger'; affectionate use turned the suffix into a standalone name.

Overall data confidence 70%

U.S. Social Security Administration name files — Junior-abbreviation usage

Variations

JuniorJuni

Nicknames

Junior

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Jr…

Junior— the full word it abbreviates

Cj— a companion initials-name

Aj— another initials-name

Jonathon— lands in the same popularity range

Jessiah— another English name

Explore names like Jr

By themeenglish latin

By meaningGift / Blessing

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jr mean?

Jr is 'Junior', Latin for 'younger' — a son named after his father.

How do you pronounce Jr?

It's said JOO-nee-ər /ˈdʒu.ni.ər/ — like 'Junior'.

Is Jr a boy or girl name?

Jr is a boy's name.

How popular is Jr?

Jr is a rare given name in the U.S.