50+ Modern & Unique Baby Boy Names With J

Of all the names you could give your baby boy, none are more popular than boy names that start with J.

According to data from Behind the Name, J boy names accounted for 10.2% of all names given to baby boys in the United States in 2023 — and not much has changed over the past 140+ years. 

Sure, the percentage has reached as high as 20% (in the 1980s), but not a single letter of the alphabet has dethroned the letter “J” from that No. 1 spot among first initials, dating all the way back to 1880.  

It is, however, important to note that the letter “A” has come mightily close in recent years — but not enough to scare parents away from boy J names. 

Just take a look at the past 100 years of baby name data and it’ll tell you everything you need to know about boy names that start with J. 

For example, James was the No. 1 most popular boy’s name from 1924-2023 and has been given to more than 4.5 million baby boys over that span, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). 

John (No. 4 with 4.3 million births) and Joseph (No. 8 with 2.28 million births) also landed in the top-10. 

Joshua (20th), Jason (27th), Jeffrey (29th), Jacob (31st), Jonathan (35th), Justin (38th), Jack (48th) and Jerry (50th) were all included in the top-50. 

Fast forward to today and we’re seeing a new generation of baby boy names with J emerge — and we’re excited to share some of those names with you below!

Jadiel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God knows; Praise God; Praise the Lord

Jadiel, pronounced jah-dee-EL or jay-DEEL, is believed to be a diminutive of the Hebrew name Yehudiel, which is composed of the Hebrew elements yada, meaning “to know” or “praise,” and el, meaning “God.” 

Jeremias

Origin: Hebrew; Greek; Latin

Meaning: God will exalt; God will uplift

Jeremias, pronounced jehr-eh-MY-ahs, is the Greek and Latin form of Jeremiah, which comes from the Hebrew name Yirmeyahu and is composed of the Hebrew elements rum, meaning “to exalt,” and yah, referring to the Hebrew God. 

Jairo

Origin: Hebrew; Spanish

Meaning: He who shines; His light

Jairo, pronounced HY-roh or JY-roh, is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Jairus, ultimately derived from the Greek name Iairos, Hebrew name Jair and Hebrew root ʾor, meaning “to shine” or “light.” 

Jabari

Origin: Swahili; Arabic

Meaning: Almighty; Powerful

Jabari, pronounced juh-BAR-ee, is derived from the Swahili word meaning “almighty” or “powerful,” which comes from the Arabic word jabbār. It gained popularity in 1973 when featured in a list of African names published in newspapers across the country. 

Jericho

Origin: Hebrew; Biblical

Meaning: Biblical city; Moon; Fragrance

Jericho, pronounced JEHR-ih-koh, comes from the ancient Biblical city whose walls famously fell in the Book of Joshua. The meaning is debated, but is likely derived from the Hebrew word yareaḥ, meaning “moon,” or reyaḥ, meaning “fragrance.”

Justice

Origin: Latin; French

Meaning: Righteousness; Fair; Equity

Justice, pronounced JUSS-tiss, is derived from the Latin word iustitia, meaning "righteousness" or "equity,” making it a popular virtue name — though it can also be an occupational name given to a judge. 

Jedidiah

Origin: Hebrew; Biblical

Meaning: God’s beloved; Friend of God

Jedidiah, pronounced jed-ih-DY-ah, comes from the Hebrew name Yedidya, which is composed of the Hebrew elements yadid, meaning “beloved” or “friend,” and yah, referring to the Hebrew God. It’s the name Nathan gave to Solomon in the Bible. 

Judson

Origin: English; Modern

Meaning: Son of Judd; Descend; Praise

Judson, pronounced JUD-sun, is a patronymic surname-turned-first-name meaning "son of Judd,” itself a diminutive of Jordan, meaning “to flow down” or “descend,” and Judah, meaning “praise.” It can also be a modern alternative to the name Hudson, but with a J. 

Joziah

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God supports; God’s supporter

Joziah, pronounced jo-ZY-ah, is a modern spelling variation of Josiah, which comes from the Hebrew name Yoshiyahu and is composed of the Hebrew elements ashya, meaning “support,” and yah, meaning “God.” 

Jagger

Origin: English

Meaning: Carter; Peddler; Transporter of goods

Jagger, pronounced JAG-er, originated as an English occupational surname for someone who transported goods by cart or wagon. It entered the first name spotlight largely through association with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.

Jahmir

Origin: Hebrew; Arabic

Meaning: God’s treetop; Commander; Prince

Jahmir, pronounced jah-MEER, is a combination of the Hebrew words yah, meaning “God,” and amir, meaning “treetop.” It can also be an elaborated form of the Arabic name Amir, a title given to a prince or commander.  

Jakai

Origin: Hebrew; Hawaiian

Meaning: God’s sea; Sea of God

Jakai, pronounced juh-KY, is a modern and invented name with Hebrew and Hawaiian influences. It’s likely a combination of the Hebrew word yah, meaning “God,” and Hawaiian word kai, meaning “sea.” It can also be a variant of similar-sounding names like Makai or an elaborated form of Jack.

Junior

Origin: English; Latin

Meaning: Young man; Father’s son

Junior, pronounced JOO-nyur, derives from the Latin word iunior, meaning “younger,” and iuvenis, meaning “young man.” It was traditionally used to distinguish a son named after his father, but can also be used as a standalone name. 

Jiraiya

Origin: Japanese; Folklore

Meaning: Young thunder; To be oneself; Young arrival

Jiraiya, pronounced jee-RY-ah, originates from Japanese folklore where Jiraiya was a ninja who could transform into a giant toad. It’s derived from the Japanese elements ji, meaning “oneself, child, boy,” rai, meaning “arrival, lightning, thunder,” and ya, meaning “to be,” depending on the kanji used. 

Julian

Origin: Roman; Greek

Meaning: Downy-bearded; Youthful

Julian, pronounced JOO-lee-an, comes from the Roman name Iulianus and Julius, which is believed to be derived from the Greek word ioulos, meaning “downy-bearded.” It can also be related to the Roman god Jupiter, the equivalent of Greek god Zeus. 

Jameson

Origin: English; Scottish

Meaning: Son of James; Son of a supplanter

Jameson, pronounced JAY-muh-sun, originated as an English and Scottish patronymic surname meaning "son of James." Considering how popular James has been over the past 140+ years, Jameson gives parents a unique alternative to consider.

Jayceon

Origin: English; Modern; Greek

Meaning: Healer

Jayceon, pronounced JAY-son, is a modern spelling of the name Jason inspired by the unique name Jayce. Jason itself comes from the Greek name Iason and Greek word iaomai, meaning “to heal.” 

Johan

Origin: Hebrew; Scandinavian; Dutch

Meaning: God is gracious

Johan, pronounced YOH-han or YOH-en, is the Scandinavian and Dutch form of John, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Yoḥanan and is composed of the Hebrew elements yo, meaning “God,” and hanan, meaning “to be gracious.” 

Julio

Origin: Greek; Roman; Spanish

Meaning: Downy-bearded; Youthful

Julio, pronounced HOO-lee-oh (Spanish) or JOO-lee-oh (English), is the Spanish and Portuguese form of the Roman name Julius, which is likely derived from the Greek word ioulos, meaning “downy-bearded.” 

Jonas

Origin: Greek; Hebrew

Meaning: Dove; Peacemaker

Jonas, pronounced JOH-nus, is the Greek and Lithuanian form of the Hebrew name Jonah, which is derived from the Hebrew word yona, meaning “dove.” Jonah is one of the 12 minor prophets in the Bible.

Jalen

Origin: American; Invented

Meaning: Supplanter; Brave Lion; Holder of the Heel

Jalen, pronounced JAY-len, emerged as an American creation in the 1990s and was popularized by basketball player Jalen Rose, whose name was a combination of his father’s name (James, meaning “supplanter”) and uncle’s name (Leonard, meaning “brave lion”). 

Julius

Origin: Roman; Latin; Greek

Meaning: Downy-bearded; Youthful

Julius, pronounced JOO-lee-us, comes from the Roman family name of Gaius Julius Caesar's clan. The name is believed to come from the Greek word ioulos, meaning “downy-bearded,” but can also relate to the Roman god Jupiter (or Greek equivalent Zeus).

Jared

Origin: Hebrew; Biblical

Meaning: Descent; One who descended

Jared, pronounced JAIR-ed, appears in the Book of Genesis as a pre-flood patriarch and father of Enoch. His name is derived from the Hebrew name Yared and Hebrew word yarad, meaning “descent.” 

Joaquin

Origin: Hebrew; Spanish

Meaning: God raises; God establishes

Joaquin, pronounced wah-KEEN (Spanish) or hwah-KEEN (English), is the Spanish variation of Joachim, which is composed of the Hebrew elements yeho, meaning “God,” and kun, meaning “to establish,” or qum, meaning “to raise.” 

Jensen

Origin: Scandinavian; Hebrew

Meaning: Son of Jens; God is gracious

Jensen, pronounced JEN-sen, originated as a Scandinavian patronymic surname meaning "son of Jens," with Jens being a Danish form of John. Therefore, Jensen comes from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning “God is gracious.” 

Javier

Origin: Spanish; Basque

Meaning: New House; Extebarria

Javier, pronounced hah-vee-AIR, is the Spanish form of Xavier, which is ultimately derived from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning "new house." The feminine form is Javiera and a potential nickname includes Javi (hah-VEE). 

Jett

Origin: English; French

Meaning: Black; Black gemstone; Fast plane; To thrust

Jett, pronounced JET, can either be a color name inspired by black, a gemstone name inspired by jetstone (a deep black lignite) or a modern name inspired by the jet plane (from French word jeter, meaning “to thrust” or “to throw”). 

Judah

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Praise; Thankful

Judah, pronounced JOO-dah, comes from the Hebrew name Yehuda and Hebrew word yada, meaning “praise.” In the Bible, Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jace

Origin: English; Greek

Meaning: Healer; To heal

Jace, pronounced JAYSS, is a shortened form and nickname of the name Jason, which comes from the Greek name Iason and Greek word iaomai, meaning “to heal.” In Greek mythology Jason was the leader of the Argonauts.

Jasper

Origin: Latin; Hebrew; Persian

Meaning: Treasurer; Precious stone

Jasper, pronounced JAS-per, originated from the Latin name Gaspar and Hebrew word gizbar (from Persian word ganzabarah), meaning “treasurer.” It’s also the name of a precious stone used for jewelry. 

Jaxon

Origin: English; Modern

Meaning: Son of Jack; God is gracious

Jaxon, pronounced JAX-un, is a modern spelling variation of Jackson, itself an English patronymic surname meaning “son of Jack.” The "x" spelling emerged in the late 1990s, offering a more distinctive twist on the classic name.

Jarell

Origin: Germanic; Creative

Meaning: Powerful spear; Ruler of the spear

Jarell, pronounced juh-REL, is believed to be a variant of the Germanic name Gerald, which is composed of the Germanic elements ger, meaning “spear,” and walt, meaning “power” or “authority.” 

Jarvis

Origin: Germanic; French

Meaning: Spearman; Skilled spear

Jarvis, pronounced JAR-vis, originated as an occupational surname meaning "skilled with a spear.” It’s believed to come from the French name Gervais, which is derived from the Germanic element ger, meaning “spear.”  

Jethro

Origin: Hebrew; Biblical

Meaning: Abundance; Excellence

Jethro, pronounced JETH-roh, appears in the Bible as the father-in-law of Moses. The name is derived from the Hebrew name Yitro and Hebrew word yeter, meaning “abundance” or “excellence.” 

Jesse

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Gift; Existence

Jesse, pronounced JESS-ee, comes from the Greek name Iessai and Hebrew name Yishai, which is derived from the Hebrew word shai, meaning “gift,” or Hebrew word yesh, meaning “existence.” In the Bible, Jesse was the father of King David.

Jelani

Origin: Swahili; Arabic

Meaning: Mighty; Powerful

Jelani, pronounced jeh-LAH-nee, is a Swahili name that originated from the Arabic surname al-Jīlānī, believed to mean "mighty" or "powerful." It gained popularity in the 1970s after being featured in a newspaper article about African baby names. 

Jermaine

Origin: Roman; Latin

Meaning: Brother

Jermaine, pronounced jer-MAYN, is a variant of the Roman cognomen Germanus and Latin word germanus, meaning “brother.” It was popularized by The Jackson 5 singer Jermaine Jackson in the 1970s. 

Jamarion

Origin: Modern; Creative

Meaning: Rebellious; Beautiful; Pool

Jamarion, pronounced jah-MAR-ee-on, is likely a combination of the prefix Ja- and the French name Marion, a masculine diminutive of the name Marie, meaning “rebellious.” It can also be an elaborated form of the name Jamar, which was inspired by similar names like Jamal (meaning “beautiful”) and Lamar (meaning “the pool”). 

Jorge

Origin: Spanish; Greek

Meaning: Earthworker; Farmer; Gardener

Jorge, pronounced HOR-hay (Spanish) or JORGE (English), is the Spanish and Portuguese version of George, which comes from the Greek name Georgios and Greek word georgos, meaning “earthworker” or “farmer.” 

Jairus

Origin: Greek; Hebrew

Meaning: To shine; Light; Healer

Jairus, pronounced JY-rus, appears in the New Testament as a synagogue leader who sought Jesus to heal his daughter. It comes from the Greek name Iairos and Hebrew name Jair, meaning “to shine” or “light.” 

Jetson

Origin: English; Mordern

Meaning: Black; Airplane; To descend; Flow down

Jetson, pronounced JET-sun, emerged as a modern name inspired by the popular cartoon "The Jetsons" and the word "jet." It can either be derived from the word Jett, meaning “black,” or Judd, a diminutive of Jordan (meaning “to descend” or “flow down”). 

Janek

Origin: Estonian; Polish; Czech; Hebrew

Meaning: God is gracious

Janek, pronounced JAH-nick or YAH-nick, is the Estonian, Polish and Czech form of John, which comes from the Hebrew name Yohanan and is composed of the Hebrew elements yo, meaning “God,” and hanan, meaning “to be gracious.”  

Jenesis

Origin: Greek; Biblical

Meaning: Birth; Origin

Jenesis, pronounced jeh-NEE-sis, is a creative spelling variation of Genesis, which comes from the Greek word genesis, meaning “birth” or “origin.” The Book of Genesis is the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. 

Jemuel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Day of God; God’s Day; Sea of God; God’s Sea

Jemuel, pronounced jeh-MEW-el, comes from the Hebrew name Yemuel, meaning “day of good.” It can also be composed of the Hebrew elements yam, meaning “sea,” and el, meaning “God.” In the Bible, Jemuel is one of the sons of Simeon. 

Jeronimo

Origin: Greek; Spanish

Meaning: Sacred Name

Jeronimo, pronounced heh-ROH-nih-moh, is the Spanish version of Jerome, which comes from the Greek name Hieronymos and is composed of the Greek elements heiros, meaning “sacred,” and onyma, meaning “name.” 

Jada

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Wise; Knowing; Precious Stone

Jada, pronounced JAY-dah, comes from the Hebrew word yada, meaning “to know” or “wise,” but it can also be an elaborated form of the name Jade, from the name of the precious stone often used in carvings. In the Bible, Jada was a descendant of Judah, son of Onam and brother of Shammai.

Jaziel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God creates; Created by God; Made by God

Jaziel, pronounced jah-ZEE-el, is a variant of the Hebrew name Jaasiel, which is composed of the Hebrew elements asa, meaning “to make,” and el, referring to the Hebrew God. In the Bible, Jaasiel is both a member of David’s army and a son of Abner. 

Jesimiel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God establishes

Jesimiel, pronounced jeh-SIM-ee-el, is believed to mean “God establishes” in Hebrew. In the Bible, Jesimiel was a Simeonite prince and a member of the family of Shimei, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:36.

Jayvee

Origin: English; Modern

Meaning: Junior Varsity; JV

Jayvee, pronounced JAY-vee, emerged from the abbreviation J.V. for "Junior Varsity" in sports. It’s a sporty name that suggests youth, potential and aspiration for an athletic baby boy with a bright future. 

Jubal

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Stream; Inventor of Music; Father of lyre and pipe players

Jubal, pronounced JOO-bal, appears in the Bible as a musician and the "father of all those who play the lyre and pipe." It can also be a water-inspired name that comes from the Hebrew word yuval, meaning “stream.”

Jorian

Origin: English; Modern

Meaning: Earthworker; Farmer; To descend; Flow down

Jorian, pronounced jor-EE-an, is believed to be a combination of the name Jori, a diminutive of the names George or Jordan, and the suffixes “an” and “ian.” It also sounds like Julian and can be related to names like Dorian and Florian.  

Not Interested In Boy Names That Start With J?

If J boy names don't quite capture your imagination, don't worry!

The world of baby naming offers endless possibilities across the alphabet. While baby boy names with J are among the most popular names today, your search doesn't have to end there!

To continue your search elsewhere, check out our Mod Moms Club website for more unique baby names. And don't forget about our exclusive baby name generator, which makes looking for a baby name easy!