$Unique_ID{PAR00351} $Font{NP} $Pretitle{} $Title{Names for Boys: J} $Subtitle{} $Author{ Editors of Consumer Guide Harder, Kelsey} $Subject{Names Boys J} $Log{} The Ultimate Baby Name Book Names for Boys: J Jaan (see Christian) Jacian (see Jason) Jacie (see Jason) Jack Form of Jacob or John; also, an independent name. Jack was an independent name in England as early as the fourteenth century. Jacks abound in children's nursery rhymes, including "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Jack Sprat," "Jack and Jill," and "Little Jack Horner." Famous names: Jack Benny (comedian) Jack Dempsey (boxer) Jack Kerouac (writer) Jack Lemmon (actor) Jack London (novelist) Jack Nicholson (actor) Jack Nicklaus (golfer) Nickname: Jackie Jackie Form of Jack, Jacob, or John. Famous names: Jackie Gleason (comedian) Jackie Mason (comedian) Jackie Roosevelt Robinson (baseball player) Jackie Wilson (singer) Other spelling: Jacky Jackson Form of Jack. Famous name: Jackson Pollock (painter) Jacky (see Jackie, John) Jacob Hebrew "supplanter." In the Book of Genesis, Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebecca. He was a devious man who tricked his father into giving him the inheritance that rightfully belonged to his brother, Esau. With the power he had acquired, Jacob formed the tribe of Israel. He is best remembered, however, for his vision of a stairway to heaven, called Jacob's Ladder. In English history, the Jacobites rallied to the cause of James Stuart of Scotland, who became king after the death of Elizabeth I. Three centuries later, the extremists in the French revolution were called the Jacobins. Famous names: Jacob Javits (U.S. senator) Jacobo Timerman (author) Nicknames: Jack, Jackie, Jacque, Jake, Jakie Variations: Giacobo (Italian), Giacomo (Italian), Giacopo (Italian), Iacovo (Italian), Jacobo (Spanish), Jacques (French), Jakob (German), James, Jayme (Spanish) Jacobo (see Jacob) Jacque French form of Jacob or James. Famous names: Jacques Cousteau (explorer) Jacque David (painter) Other spelling: Jacques Jacquelin (see James) Jago (see James) Jaime (see James) Jake (see Jacob, James) Jakie (see Jacob) Jakob (see Jacob) James English form of Jacob, "the supplanter"; it came to England from Welsh Iago through Spanish Jayme into French Gemmes. In the New Testament, two of Jesus' apostles were named James. Legend says that one of them was a brother of Jesus and the first bishop of Jerusalem. He is thought to be the author of the Epistle of St. James. The other James was John's brother and a witness to Jesus' betrayal. Like John the Baptist, he was beheaded by King Herod. James I of England was a fairly unpleasant man. Because he wanted to become heir to the English throne, he didn't object to the execution of his mother, Mary Stuart, the queen of Scotland, whose supporters attempted to make her queen of England. When James finally succeeded to the throne, he alienated the court by trying to acquire power for the throne at a time when Parliament was taking control of the government. James II of England reigned for only three years. When he was suspected of trying to return the country to Roman Catholicism, his daughter Mary and her husband, William of Orange, were encouraged to take over the English throne, which they did in the Glorious Revolution. Two literary giants also share this name: James Joyce of Ireland, the author of Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man and Ulysses, and American James Baldwin, the author of Go Tell It on the Mountain, Another Country, and The Fire Next Time. In United States history, the name is presidential. James Madison, the father of the Constitution and one of the authors of the Federalist Papers, was the fourth president. James Monroe was the fifth president and the author of the Monroe Doctrine. James Polk was the eleventh president and the designer of the doctrine of Manifest Destiny. James Buchanan was the fifteenth president, and James Garfield was the twentieth president. The fictional spy James Bond and actor James Dean, who gained fame with the movie Rebel Without a Cause, provide dashing images for this traditional name. Famous names: James Fenimore Cooper (novelist) James Garner (actor) James Hargreaves (inventor) James Earl Jones (actor) James Oglethorpe (founder of Georgia) James Stewart (actor) James Taylor (singer) James Thurber (cartoonist) Nicknames: Jake, Jamey, Jamie, Jamy, Jay, Jem, Jemmy, Jim, Jimmie, Jimmy Variations: Diego (Spanish), Giacomo (Italian), Haime, Hamish (Scottish), Iago (Welsh), Jacquelin, Jacque (French), Jago, Jaime (Spanish), Jameson, Jamito, Jascha (Russian), Jayme (Portuguese), Jock (Scottish), Santiago (Spanish), Shamus (Irish), Seamus (Irish) Jameson Variation of James. If you like the name James but want to name your son something slightly unusual, you might choose the name of actor Jameson Parker of the television series Simon & Simon. Jamey, Jamie, Jamy (see James) Jamito (see James) Jan Germanic form of John. Famous name: Jan Vermeer (painter) Janek (see John) Janne (see John) Jannes (see John) Janos (see John) Jansen (see John) Jarett (see Garret) Jas (see Casper) Jascha (see James) Jason Greek "the healer"; probably from Hebrew. In Greek mythology, Jason led the Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece. He later married the sorceress Medea, who helped him fulfill his quest. His life turned to tragedy when Medea, suspecting Jason of infidelity, killed their children. Although the name used to be unusual, it came back into use in the late 1960s. By 1970, it was one of the most-popular names for boys in the United States. Famous names: Jason Bateman (actor) Jason Robards (actor) Nicknames: Jacie, Jay Variation: Jacian Jaspar (see Casper) Javiel (see Xavier) Javier (see Xavier) Javiez (see Xavier) Javis (see Xavier) Jay Latin gaius, "blue jay" or "rejoiced in"; also, a form of James, Jason, or other names beginning with "J." Famous names: Jay Leno (comedian) Jay McInerney (novelist) Jay Ward (movie producer) Jayme (see Jacob, James) Jean French variation of John. Although this is a feminine name in the United States, parents interested in art should remember that five prominent French painters were named Jean: Chardin, Corot, Fragonard, Ingres, and Millet. Famous names: Jean Anouilh (playwright) Jean Arthur Dubuc (baseball player) Jean Luc Godard (movie director) Jean Paul Marat (French revolutionist) Jean Baptiste Racine (dramatist) Jean-Jacques Rousseau (philosopher) Jeeves (see Geoffrey) Jeff Form of Geoffrey or Jeffrey. Famous names: Jeff MacNelly (cartoonist) Jeff Smith (cooking expert) Jefferey (see Jeffrey) Jeffers (see Geoffrey) Jefferson (see Geoffrey) Jeffrey Variation of Geoffrey. This spelling is more popular in the United States than the English form, Geoffrey. Famous names: Jeffrey Hunter (actor) Jeffrey Leonard (baseball player) Other spellings: Jefferey, Jeffry Nickname: Jeff Variations: Geoff, Geoffrey, Geoffroi (French), Giotto (Italian), Godfrey, Goffredo (Italian), Gofredo (Spanish), Gottfried (German), Govert (Dutch), Jeoffroi (French) Jeffry (see Geoffrey, Jeffrey) Jehan (see John) Jellow (see Julian) Jem (see James) Jemmy (see James) Jen (see John) Jens (see John) Jeoffroi (see Geoffrey, Jeffrey) Jer (see Gerald) Jereme (see Jeremy) Jeremiah (see Jeremy) Jeremias (see Jeremy) Jeremie (see Jeremy) Jeremija (see Jeremy) Jeremio (see Jeremy) Jeremy Hebrew "may God raise up, exalt." Jeremiah was a Biblical prophet who wrote the Book of Lamentations. This version of the name dates to at least the thirteenth century in England and is becoming popular today. Famous names: Jeremy Bentham (philosopher) Jeremy Irons (actor) Other spelling: Jeremie Nicknames: Gerry, Jerrie, Jerry Variations: Geremia (Italian), Heremias, Hieremias, Jereme (French), Jeremiah, Jeremias (German and Spanish), Jeremija, Jeremio, Yirmeyah Jerome Greek Jeronomos, "holy name." The fourth-century St. Jerome translated the Old Testament from Hebrew into Latin. The Germans retained the Greek form of this name, Hieronymos, so perhaps the German painter Hieronymos Bosch is the best-known Jerome. Composer Jerome Kern is remembered for his musical Showboat. Famous name: Jerome Robbins (choreographer) Other spellings: Gerome, Jerrome Nicknames: Jerrie, Jerry Variations: Chombo, Chomo, Feronio, Geromino, Geromo, Geronimo (Italian), Girolamo (Italian), Hierom, Hieronym, Hieronymos (German and Greek), Hirus, Jeromo, Jerona, Jeronim (Russian), Jeronimino, Jeronimo, Jeronumo Jeromo (see Jerome) Jerona (see Jerome) Jeronim (see Jerome) Jeronimino (see Jerome) Jeronimo (see Jerome) Jeronumo (see Jerome) Jerrie (see Jeremy, Jerome, Jerry) Jerrome (see Jerome) Jerry Form of Gerald, Gerard, Jeremy, or Jerome. Famous names: Jerry Lewis (comedian) Jerry West (basketball player) Other spellings: Gerrie, Gerry, Jerrie Jerzy (see George) Jesaia (see Isaiah) Jese (see Jesse) Jesito (see Jesus) Jess (see Jesse) Jesse Hebrew "God exists." In the Bible, Jesse was the father of David, who became king of Israel. In the nineteenth century, the famous outlaw, Jesse James, plundered the West. In the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Black-American athlete Jesse Owens won four gold medals, disputing Adolf Hitler's theory of Aryan superiority. In the 1980s, the civil rights leader Jesse Jackson became the first black man to run for president. Famous names: Jesse Kornbluth (writer) Jesse Orosco (baseball player) Other spellings: Jese, Jessie Variations: Jess, Yisha, Ysaye Jessie (see Jesse) Jesu (see Jesus) Jesus Hebrew "the healer." People in many cultures have considered this name to be too sacred for general use, but it has always been popular in Spanish-speaking countries. Famous name: Jesus Alou (baseball player) Variations: Hesus, Jesito, Jesu, Jesusito, Jezus Jesusito (see Jesus) Jewel Old French juel, "gem stone." The names of precious stones often become given names to symbolize the preciousness of human life. Such names are usually feminine, but Jewel has been used for both boys and girls. William Faulkner used the name for one of the male characters in As I Lay Dying. Famous name: Jewel Willoughby Ens (baseball player) Jezus (see Jesus) Jidas (see Judah) Jim (see James) Jimeno (see Simon) Jimi Form of James. Famous name: Jimi Hendrix (musician) Jimmie (see James) Jimmy Form of James. Although his legal name is James Earl Carter, the 39th president of the United States is more comfortable with his nickname, Jimmy. Famous names: Jimmy Breslin (columnist) Jimmy Connors (tennis player) Jindra (see Harold) Jiriberto (see Herbert) Joao (see John) Joaquim (see Joshua) Jobo (see Joseph) Jock Scottish form of James or John. Jody Form of Joseph. This name has been popular ever since Joseph was introduced into England. Spelled Jodie or Jodi, it's also popular for girls. Famous name: Jody Powell (assistant to President Carter) Joe Form of Joseph. This name has always been associated with athletes, but award-winning actor Joe Mantegna appears to be changing that image. Famous names: Joe DiMaggio (baseball player) Joe Frazier (boxer) Joe Louis (boxer) Joe Namath (football player) Joel Hebrew "the Lord is God." In the Bible, Joel was a Hebrew prophet. The name is enjoying renewed popularity today. Famous names: Joel Grey (actor) Joel Chandler Harris (writer) Variations: Ioel, Joelda, Yoel (Hebrew) Joelda (see Joel) Joey (see Joseph) Johan (see John) Johann, Johannes German form of John. Two of the world's great composers share this name: Johann Sebastian Bach and Johannes Brahms. John Hebrew "the Lord is favored," "the Lord is gracious," or "the Lord is merciful." For the last two centuries, this has been the most-popular name for boys in many countries. In the Bible, John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus. He was imprisoned for denouncing King Herod, and he was beheaded at the request of the king's daughter, Salome. St. John the Evangelist was a brother of James and one of the apostles. He is probably the author of the Gospel of John and three of the Epistles. Among Christians, the name has always been revered. It is the name of more than twenty popes and more than eighty saints. John XXIII, who was elected pope in 1958, called the second Vatican Council that radically changed the Roman Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II, formerly Karol Jozef Wojtyla, was the first non-Italian pontiff to be chosen in more than 450 years. The name John has not been especially popular among royalty. Only one John has sat on the English throne. In 1199, John I, the son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, was crowned, following the death of his brother, Richard. His many frustrated attempts to regain a hold on British territory led to a revolt among the rebel lords who forced John to sign the Magna Charta, which paved the way for a representational government in Great Britain. Parents who love poetry have good reason to consider this name. Four of England's greatest poets are John Milton, John Donne, John Keats, and John Dryden. It also has great presidential connections through John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John Tyler, and John F. Kennedy. Astronaut John Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth, and musician John Lennon is considered to be one of the finest composers of rock music. Famous names: John Alden (Mayflower pilgrim) John Brown (abolitionist) John Barrymore (actor) John Galbraith (economist) Sir John Gielgud (actor) John Irving (writer) John le Carre (writer) John McEnroe (tennis player) John Singleton Mosby (Confederate cavalry officer) John Updike (writer) John Wayne (actor) Other spelling: Jon Nicknames: Jack, Jackie, Jacky, Johnnie, Johnny Variations: Eoin (Irish), Evan (Welsh), Gian (Italian), Giannes (Greek), Gianni (Italian), Giannini (Italian), Giovanni (Italian), Hanna (Arabic), Hannes (Finnish), Hans (German and Polish), Hansel (Bavarian), Hohan (Norwegian), Iaian (Scottish), Ian (Scottish), Ioan (Rumanian), Ioannes (Greek), Ivan (Slavic), Ivanovitch (Russian), Iwan (Polish), Jan (Czech, Danish, and Dutch), Janek, Janos (Hungarian), Janne (Danish), Jannes (Greek), Jansen, Jean (French), Jehan (Belgian), Jen, Jens (Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish), Joao (Portuguese), Jock (Scottish), Johan (Danish), Johann (German), Johannes (German), Johns, Johnson, Jonam (Swedish), Jones, Jonson, Juan (Spanish), Juanitto (Spanish), Ohannes (Turkish), Seaian (Irish), Sean, Seann (Irish), Shane (Irish), Shamus, Shan, Shawn (Irish), Vanka (Russian), Vanni (Italian), Yochanan (Yiddish), Yohanan (Hebrew), Yoni, Zane Johnnie (see John, Johnny) Johnny Form of John. Famous names: Johnny Bench (baseball player) Johnny Carson (TV personality) Johnny Mathis (singer) Johnny Weissmuller (swimmer) Other spelling: Johnnie Johns (see John) Johnson (see John) Jojo Fante (Ghana) "born on Monday." Jon (see John, Jonathan) Jona (see Jonah) Jonah Hebrew "peace" or "dove." Most people remember the Prophet Jonah because he was swallowed by a big fish and regurgitated still alive three days later. He also preached against excessive and intolerant religious views, and taught that Jehovah was the God of the Gentiles as well as of the Israelites. Jonas Salk, a twentieth-century medical researcher, discovered the polio vaccine. Variations: Jona, Jonas Jonam (see John) Jonas (see Jonah) Jonath (see Jonathan) Jonathan Hebrew "God is given" or "God's gift." Famous names: Jonathan Swift (political satirist) Jonathan Winters (comedian) Nickname: Jon Variation: Jonath Jones (see John) Jonson (see John) Joquin (see Joshua) Jorge Spanish form of George. Famous name: Jorge Luis Borges (writer) Jorgy (see George) Jorji (see George) Jos (see Justin) Jose (see Joseph, Josiah) Josean (see Joseph) Joseef (see Joseph) Josefeno (see Joseph) Josefus (see Joseph) Joseph Hebrew "the Lord added (children)." In the Old Testament, Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob. He was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers, but because he interpreted the dreams of the pharaoh, he became powerful in the court and urged a relaxation of the repression of his people. In the New Testament, Joseph was the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Two Holy Roman emperors, Joseph I and Joseph II, reigned in the eighteenth century. Inspired by the ideas of the Enlightenment, Joseph II freed the serfs. In North America, Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe rebelled against a treaty that would have forced his people to be resettled. In 1877, Chief Joseph led his tribe on a long, harrowing march from Oregon to Canada, but they were stopped within miles of the border. In the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, one of the disciples of Lenin, wrested control away from the Politburo in 1929 and established a virtual dictatorship that lasted until his death in 1953. Through the use of powerful secret police, exile, and executions, he eliminated the people that he considered to be the enemies of the state. After Stalin's death, his policies were denounced. The term "yellow journalism" reflects the aggressive newspaper style of publisher Joseph Pulitzer, who introduced tabloids to the United States. Pulitzer is perhaps better remembered for his endowment of the Pulitzer Prizes. Famous names: Joseph Conrad (author) Joseph Kennedy (industrialist and statesman) Joseph Losey (film director) Joseph Mankiewicz (movie producer and director) Joseph Smith (founder of the Mormons) Joseph Turner (painter) Nicknames: Joe, Joey Variations: Giuseppe (Italian), Hosephine, Iosep (Irish), Ioseph (Greek), Jobo, Jose (Spanish), Josean, Joseef (Russian), Josefeno, Josefus, Josephe (French), Josephin, Josephito, Josiah, Josko, Jozefa, Jusefa, Oseep (Russian), Peppo, Pipito, Seosaidh (Scottish), Yoseph (Hebrew), Yusef (Arabic), Yussuf (Arabic) Josephe (see Joseph) Josephin (see Joseph) Josephito (see Joseph) Josh (see Joshua, Josiah) Joshua Hebrew "God saves." Joshua was Moses' successor as the leader of the Israelites and led the nation into the Land of Promise. The Book of Joshua recounts the settling of Canaan. The name was popular among the Puritans from the seventeenth century until the end of the nineteenth century. It is now being revived along with other biblical names. Famous name: Sir Joshua Reynolds (painter) Nicknames: Hosea, Josh Variations: Giosue (Italian), Joaquim (Portuguese), Joquin (Spanish), Josua (German), Josue (French), Yehosha (Yiddish) Josia (see Josiah) Josiah Hebrew "God heals"; also, a variation of Joseph. Josiah, the king of Judah, destroyed idols and other evidence of the worship of false gods. He was slain by the pharaoh Necho at the battle of Megiddo. The name was popular among the Puritans from the seventeenth century until the latter part of the nineteenth century. Josiah is undergoing a revival now that biblical names are fashionable again. A historical example of the name is Josiah Wedgewood, the founder of the famous pottery. Nicknames: Josh, Jose Variations: Josias (French, German, and Spanish), Josia (Swedish), Jozsue (Hungarian), Giosia (Italian) Josias (see Josiah) Josko (see Joseph) Joslyn (see Justin) Josua (see Joshua) Josue (see Joshua) Jozefa (see Joseph) Jozsue (see Josiah) Juan (see John) Juanitto (see John) Juda (see Judah) Judah Hebrew "praise." Judah was one of the great Hebrew prophets. He was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and was the founder of the tribe of Judah, the most powerful of the twelve tribes of Israel. This name was made popular by the Puritans in the seventeenth century, and along with its variations, it continues to be a popular name today. Nickname: Jude Variations: Giuda (Italian), Ioudas (Greek), Iuda (Bulgarian), Jidas (Czech), Juda (Hungarian), Judas (Spanish), Judd (English) Judas (see Judah) Judd (see Judah) Jude (see Judah) Jule (see Julian) Jules French form of Julian. French author Jules Verne is considered the father of science fiction. Famous name: Jules Feiffer (cartoonist) Julian Latin Julianus from Julius, a Roman family name, possibly from Greek ioulus, "soft, downy." Of all the ancient Romans, Julius Caesar is the best known. Pope Julius II was the patron of artists Michelangelo and Raphael. Julius Marx found success as comedian Groucho Marx. Famous names: Julian Bond (legislator) Julius Erving (basketball player) Julian Lennon (singer) Variations: Gillian, Giuliano (Italian), Giulio (Italian), Gulianno, Jellow, Jule, Jules (French), Julianus (Danish and German), Juliao, Juliau, Julien (French), Juliena, Julio (Spanish), Julion, Julli, Yulius, Yuyu Julianus (see Julian) Juliao (see Julian) Juliau (see Julian) Julien (see Julian) Juliena (see Julian) Julio (see Julian) Julion (see Julian) Julli (see Julian) Juma Swahili "born on Friday." Jurgen (see George) Jus (see Justin) Jusefa (see Joseph) Just (see Justin) Juste (see Justin) Justianio (see Justin) Justin Latin justus, "the just." In the sixth century, Justinian I was the last Byzantine emperor to rule in the West. Nicknames: Jos, Jus, Just Variations: Giustino (Italian), Giusto (Italian), Gustin, Gustino, Gusto, Gustosia, Husto, Joslyn, Juste (French), Justianio, Justinian (Latin), Justiniano, Justino, Justita, Justivo, Justo, Justus (German), Juztina Justinian (see Justin) Justiniano (see Justin) Justino (see Justin) Justita (see Justin) Justivo (see Justin) Justo (see Justin) Justus (see Justin) Juztina (see Justin)