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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Jaybird; also used as a short form of names like James or Jason
- Origin
- English (from the bird, or short form of names beginning with J)
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- JAY
Jay is a short, easy-to-say name pronounced JAY. It comes from English, either from the jaybird or as a short form of names that begin with J, like James or Jason. If you like a one-syllable name that can also stand in for a longer one, Jay gives you both options.
Meaning & Origin of Jay
Meaning: Jaybird; also used as a short form of names like James or Jason.
Origin: English (from the bird, or short form of names beginning with J).
How to Pronounce Jay
JAYIPA /dʒeɪ/
Popularity of Jay
Jay ranked #78 in 1960, when 5,383 babies were given the name. In 2024 it ranked #396, with 819 babies.
Names Like Jay
These names have followed a similar path to Jay in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Jay mean?
Jaybird; also used as a short form of names like James or Jason.
How do you pronounce Jay?
Jay is pronounced JAY (IPA: /dʒeɪ/).
Is Jay a popular name right now?
Jay peaked at #78 in 1960 and is ranked #396 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Jay Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Jay, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Jay? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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