Joy
Joy is an English virtue name derived directly from the word meaning happiness and delight. It became popular as a given name among Puritans in the 17th century and has remained a timeless choice expressing parental hope and celebration.
Current Popularity
#442 for girls
in the United States (2024)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Easy to spell and pronounce in most languages
- •Works well as both a first and middle name
- •Carries an inherently positive meaning that's immediately understood
- •Short and sweet - no nickname typically needed
Similar Names
Famous People
Joy Behar
Comedian and TV host on 'The View'
Joy Davidman
Poet and writer, wife of C.S. Lewis
Joy Williams
Award-winning author and short story writer
Joy Bryant
Actress and model
Statistics
139,933
Total births since 1880
1957
Peak year
Discovery
Keep exploring
Use these paths to keep browsing instead of backing out into a blank search.
Rising now
Browse trending names
See names climbing fastest right now.
Always popular
Explore timeless classics
Find names that have stayed strong for decades.
For this gender
See all-time favorites
Jump into the broadest popularity list.
Stories
Read famous-name profiles
Follow cultural stories that shaped naming trends.
Guides
Browse recent articles
Move from inspiration into editorial advice.