AHEAD: The ultimate list of J names for boys—plus their meanings and popularity.
If you’re looking for a cool boys’ name starting with the letter J, you’re in the right place!
Below, I’ve rounded up every single J name that’s even the slightest bit modern and cool.
For each name, you’ll find its meaning and current popularity—which will hopefully help you narrow down your list of favorites.
Boy names that start with J are really popular.
There are 94 “J” names ranking in the top 1000, which is right up there with “A” names.
There are also a bunch of other fantastic J names that are more rare (without being too out there).
Feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to a specific style, or keep on scrolling and view all of these cool boys’ names starting with the letter J.
Related: Girl Names that Start with J
Popular boy names that start with J
Kicking off our list of “J” names with some cool monikers that are popular in the United States right now. All of these are in the top 200.
Jace or Jayce or Jase
- Name meaning: Lord is salvation.
- Popularity: Jace ranks #97, Jayce is #151, and Jase is #474.
Jameson or Jamison
- Name meaning: Son of James.
- Popularity: Jameson ranks #79 and Jamison is #480.
Jaxon or Jaxson or Jaxxon or Jaxen
- Name meaning: God is gracious.
- Popularity: Jaxon ranks #48, Jaxson is #85, Jaxxon is #799, and Jaxen is #984.
Jayden or Jaden or Jaiden
- Name meaning: Thankful.
- Popularity: Jayden is #37, Jaden is #293, and Jaiden is #395.
Josiah or Jasiah or Joziah
- Name meaning: God heals.
- Popularity: Josiah ranks #50, Jasiah is #532, and Joziah is #739.
Jackson
- Name meaning: Son of Jack.
- Popularity: #17
Related: Middle Names for Jackson
Jasper
- Name meaning: Treasurer. Also a gemstone.
- Popularity: #138
Jeremiah
- Name meaning: Appointed by God.
- Popularity: #75
Jonah
- Name meaning: Dove.
- Popularity: #128
Judah
- Name meaning: Praised.
- Popularity: #186
Jude
- Name meaning: Short for Judah, meaning praised.
- Popularity: #154
If you like these popular boy names that start with J you’ll also like this list of southern names.
Cool “J” names
These boys’ names starting with J are perfect if you want something a little edgy but not too far out there.
Jacoby or Jakobe
- Name meaning: To follow. Supplanter.
- Popularity: Jacoby ranks #909 and Jakobe is #838.
Jagger
- Name meaning: Carter.
- Popularity: #718
Jax or Jaxx
- Name meaning: God is gracious.
- Popularity: Jax ranks #246 and Jaxx is #884.
Jaxton or Jaxtyn
- Name meaning: Modern invented name.
- Popularity: Jaxton ranks #375 and Jaxtyn is #585.
Jaylen or Jalen
- Name meaning: Invented name that might mean calm or healing.
- Popularity: Jaylen is #318 and Jalen is #549.
Jefferson
- Name meaning: Son of Jeffrey.
- Popularity: #707
Jensen
- Name meaning: Son of Jens (John).
- Popularity: #302
Jett
- Name meaning: Black.
- Popularity: #278
Johan
- Name meaning: German version of John, meaning graced by God.
- Popularity: #598
Jonas
- Name meaning: Greek version of Jonah, meaning dove.
- Popularity: #486
Judd
- Name meaning: Flowing down or praised.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Judson
- Name meaning: Son of Jordan or Judd.
- Popularity: #879
Julius
- Name meaning: Youthful.
- Popularity: #334
If you like these cool boy names that start with J you’ll also like this list of edgy names.
Gender-neutral “J” names
All of these J names would work for a boy or a girl.
Jaime or Jamie
- Name meaning: Supplanter
- Popularity: For boys, Jaime ranks #562 and Jamie is #715. For girls, Jamie ranks #710.
Jesse
- Name meaning: Gift.
- Popularity: Jesse ranks #203 for boys. Jessie ranks #716 for girls.
Jordan
- Name meaning: Descend. Flowing down.
- Popularity: For boys, Jordan ranks #82. For girls, Jordyn ranks #194 and Jordan is #435.
Jules or Juelz
- Name meaning: Youthful.
- Popularity: Jules is not ranking for either gender. Juelz ranks #826 for boys.
Julian or Julien
- Name meaning: Youthful.
- Popularity: Julian ranks #34 and Julien is #586. Neither spelling is ranking for girls.
Justice
- Name meaning: Rightfulness.
- Popularity: This name ranks #666 for boys and #575 for girls.
If you like these gender-neutral names that start with the letter J you’ll also like this list of nonbinary names.
Timeless “J” names
These boy names starting with J have been around forever and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon!
Jack
- Name meaning: God is gracious.
- Popularity: #21
Jacob or Jakob
- Name meaning: To follow. Supplanter.
- Popularity: Jacob ranks #15 and Jakob is #883.
Jake
- Name meaning: Short for Jacob, meaning to follow or supplanter.
- Popularity: #319
James or Jimmy
- Name meaning: One who follows.
- Popularity: James ranks #6 and Jimmy is #726.
Jared or Jarrod
- Name meaning: Descend. One who rules.
- Popularity: Jared ranks #368 and Jarrod last ranked in 2003.
Jason or Jayceon or Jayson
- Name meaning: Healer.
- Popularity: Jason is #119, Jayceon is #399, and Jayson is #529.
Jay
- Name meaning: A blue bird in the crow family.
- Popularity: #382
Jeffrey or Jeffery
- Name meaning: Peaceful.
- Popularity: Jeffrey ranks #385 and Jeffery is #994.
Jeremy
- Name meaning: Appointed by God.
- Popularity: #231
Jerry
- Name meaning: Short for Jerome, meaning spear king.
- Popularity: #602
Jesus
- Name meaning: The first name of Christ.
- Popularity: #169
Joel
- Name meaning: Jehovah is his God.
- Popularity: #207
John or Jon or Johnny
- Name meaning: Graced by God.
- Popularity: John ranks #27, Jon is #812, and Johnny is #389.
Jonathan or Johnathan or Jonathon
- Name meaning: God has given.
- Popularity: Jonathan ranks #70, Johnathan is #418, and Jonathon hasn’t ranked since 2016.
Joseph or Joe or Joey
- Name meaning: Jehovah increases.
- Popularity: Joseph ranks #26, Joe is #733, and Joey is #895.
Joshua
- Name meaning: The Lord is salvation.
- Popularity: #54
Justin
- Name meaning: Just, fair, righteous.
- Popularity: #168
If you like these timeless boy names that start with J you may also like this list of 2-syllable names.
Rare “J” names
Here are some cool names starting with J that you don’t hear every day.
Jacques
- Name meaning: God is gracious.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Jamal
- Name meaning: Beauty or grace.
- Popularity: #912
Jennings
- Name meaning: Graced by God.
- Popularity: This J name isn’t ranking.
Jericho
- Name meaning: The oldest city in the world.
- Popularity: #989
Jeter
- Name meaning: To throw.
- Popularity: This French + German boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Jetson
- Name meaning: Son of Jet.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Joah
- Name meaning: God is his brother.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Jones
- Name meaning: Graced by God.
- Popularity: #946
Jovanni or Jovani
- Name meaning: A variation of John, meaning graced by God.
- Popularity: Jovanni ranks #961 and Jovani hasn’t ranked since 2015.
Jovian
- Name meaning: Graced by God.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Junior
- Name meaning: Youthful.
- Popularity: #748
If you like these rare boy names that start with J you may also like these outer space names.
Unique “J” names
For a J boys’ name that’s off the beaten path, consider one of these exotic choices.
Related: Exotic Girl Names
Jabari
- Name meaning: Brave or fearless.
- Popularity: #952
Jad
- Name meaning: Generous. Kind-hearted. Serious.
- Popularity: #974
Jair
- Name meaning: He shines.
- Popularity: #899
Jakari
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: #878
Jamari or Jamar
- Name meaning: Beauty or grace.
- Popularity: Jamari ranks #584 and Jamar hasn’t ranked since 2016.
Jamir
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: #663
Jaziel
- Name meaning: Made or allotted by God.
- Popularity: #580
Jedidiah
- Name meaning: Loved by God.
- Popularity: #725
Jeremias
- Name meaning: German variation of Jeremiah, meaning appointed by God.
- Popularity: #944
If you like these unique boy names that start with J you may also like this list of 3-syllable names.
Spanish “J” names
All of these cool boy names that start with J are of Spanish origin.
Jadiel
- Name meaning: Spanish version of Yadiel, meaning praise God or God has heard.
- Popularity: #854
Javier
- Name meaning: Spanish version of Xavier, meaning new house.
- Popularity: #249
Joaquin
- Name meaning: Spanish version of Joachim, meaning God has granted.
- Popularity: #306
Jorge
- Name meaning: Spanish and Portuguese version of George, meaning farmer.
- Popularity: #273
Jose
- Name meaning: Spanish and Portuguese version of Joseph, meaning Jehovah increases.
- Popularity: #94
Josue
- Name meaning: French, Spanish and Portuguese version of Joshua, meaning the Lord is salvation.
- Popularity: #275
Juan
- Name meaning: Spanish version of John, meaning graced by God.
- Popularity: #145
Julio
- Name meaning: Spanish version of Julius, meaning youthful.
- Popularity: #546
If you like these Spanish boys’ names that start with J you may also like these French boy names.
Final thoughts on “J” boy names
Hopefully, you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.
Whether you prefer a name that’s popular, cool, gender-neutral, timeless, rare, or unique, all of these boys’ names are fantastic choices.
Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect name for your son!
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