Jay
How to say it: JAY · /ˈdʒeɪ/
As English: a short form of names beginning with J, or from the bird. As Sanskrit: 'victory' (jaya).
Jay was the 385th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 809 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1960s, its births are steady over ten years, and it is projected to rise to #381 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #385 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 809 |
| Share of births | 1 in 3,895 |
| Peak decade | 1960s |
| Change over 10 years | +1% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #381 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,110 among boys’ names, 20 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Once higher in the 1960s, Jay now sits far below that peak though still in regular use. A small rebound looks likely soon.
What goes with it
Short and crisp with a breathy lift, Jay carries a nature note in a single syllable. Jude and Lee go well alongside.
Middle names that flow with Jay →
Other spellings
Honouring a Jay in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Jay is about 1 in 163.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Dutch, English, French, German, Hindi.
In France: #1,110 for boys in 2025.
Ireland: #310.
Famous people named Jay
- Jay Leno (born 1950)American television host and comedian
- Jay Bothroyd (born 1982)English association football player
- Jay Baruchel (born 1982)Canadian actor
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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