The first name Jay

In 2025, 56 boys were named Jay, making it the 650th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2001, with 983 births (#59).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Jay with other names.

In 2025, 809 boys born in the United States were named Jay, the 392nd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1960, when 5,385 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Jay Leno
  American television host and comedian (born 1950)
• Stephen Jay Gould
  American biologist and historian of science (1941–2002)
• Jay Bothroyd
  English association football player, born 1982
• Jay Baruchel
  Canadian actor, born 1982
• Jay Mohr
  American actor and comedian, born 1970
• Jay Sean
  British singer, rapper and songwriter, born 1981
• Jay Rodriguez
  English association football player (born 1989)
• Jay Cutler
  American bodybuilder, born 1973
• Jay Spearing
  English association football player, born 1988
• Jay Wright Forrester
  American operations researcher (1918–2016)
• Jay Kay
  English musician, born 1969
• Jay Gould
  American railroad magnate and financier (1836-1892)

What does the name Jay mean?

Jay means “victory”.

How popular is the name Jay?

In 2025, 56 boys born in England and Wales were named Jay, ranking 650th. Its peak was 2001, with 983 births.

Is Jay a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 198,132 US babies named Jay since 1880 were boys.

When was Jay most popular?

1960 in the United States, when 5,385 babies were named Jay, its highest rank at 78th.

How do you pronounce Jay?

Jay is /d͡ʒeɪ/, one syllable.

What are other spellings of Jay?

Jaye.

Is Jay also a surname?

Yes. Jay is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.