$Unique_ID{PAR00377} $Font{NP} $Pretitle{} $Title{Names for Girls: J} $Subtitle{} $Author{ Editors of Consumer Guide Harder, Kelsey} $Subject{Names Girls J} $Log{} The Ultimate Baby Name Book Names for Girls: J Jacalin (see Jacqueline) Jacaline (see Jacqueline) Jacalyn (see Jacqueline) Jacinna (see Jacinta) Jacinta Spanish "hyacinth." Variations: Jacinth, Jacinna, Jacynth Jacinth (see Jacinta) Jackelyn (see Jacqueline) Jacki (see Jackie, Jacqueline) Jackie Form of Jacqueline. This nickname became a popular independent name in the 1950s, when cute names were in vogue for girls. Famous names: Jackie Collins (novelist) Jackie Joyner Kersee (athlete) Other spellings: Jacki, Jacky, Jacquie Jacky (see Jackie, Jacqueline) Jaclyn (see Jacqueline) Jacoba (see Jacqueline) Jacobina (see Jacqueline) Jacovina (see Jacqueline) Jacquelean, Jacquelene (see Jacqueline) Jacqueline French feminine form of Jacob, Jack, and John. Jacqueline was one of the first French derivatives of a traditionally masculine name to become a popular girls' name in the United States. It was widely used in the 1930s. When Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy became the first lady in the early-1960s, the name again became very popular. If you want to name your daughter Jacqueline but want her to have a happier association with the name than the young widow of a much-loved president, you could tell her about the ace pilot, Jacqueline Auriol, the first woman to break the sound barrier. Other spellings: Jacalin, Jacaline, Jaclyn, Jacquelean, Jacquelene, Jacquelline, Jacquelyn Nicknames: Jacki, Jackie, Jacky Variations: Gacquetta, Jacalyn, Jackelyn, Jacoba, Jacobina, Jakobine (German), Jacovina (Russian), Jacquenella, Jacquenette, Jacquetta, Jacquette (French), Jada, Zakelina (Russian) Jacquelline (see Jacqueline) Jacquelyn (see Jacqueline) Jacquenella (see Jacqueline) Jacquenette (see Jacqueline) Jacquetta (see Jacqueline) Jacquette (see Jacqueline) Jacquie (see Jackie) Jacynth (see Jacinta) Jada (see Jacqueline) Jaime (see Jamie) Jaimie (see Jamie) Jakobine (see Jacqueline) Jamaica Name of a country. Famous name: Jamaica Kincaid (author) Jamee, Jami (see Jamie) Jamie Feminine form of James, Hebrew "the supplanting." While many currently popular girls' names are versions of boys' names, Jamesina is rarely used. But Jamie, in all its various spellings, is very popular. Perhaps parents remember it as the name of the Bionic Woman on the 1970s television series. Famous names: Jami Gertz (actress) Jamie Lee Curtis (actress) Other spellings: Jaime, Jaimie, Jamee, Jami, Jayme, Jaymee, Jaymie Jamila Swahili "beautiful." Jan Feminine form of John, Hebrew "the Lord is gracious." Famous name: Jan Morris (writer) Variation: Jane Jana (see Jane) Janae (see Jane) Jane Feminine form of John, Hebrew "the Lord is gracious." English parents like this name a lot more than Americans. Although it has been a very popular name in both countries for the last 100 years, it has consistently ranked number one in England. Until the sixteenth century, the older name Johanna was used much more frequently than Jane. After Henry VIII married his third wife, Jane Seymour, and she bore his only son, the name began to appear more often. Following the brief reign of Henry's son, Lady Jane Grey was appointed his successor, but the court rallied to Henry's first daughter, Mary, and Lady Jane was beheaded. In the nineteenth century, the remarkable writer Jane Austen brought literary fame to the name. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte began a line of fictional Janes that extends to Jane Marple, Agatha Christie's detective, whose observations of village life help her solve vicious crimes. Jane is also a popular name for actresses. There's Jane Alexander, Jane Curtin, Jane Fonda, Jane Seymour, and Jane Wyman. Famous names: Jane Burke (performer known as Calamity Jane) Jane Byrne (politician) Other spelling: Jayne Nicknames: Janie, Janey Variations: Gene, Gianina (Italian), Gianna, Giovanna (Italian), Hanka, Jan, Jana (Polish), Janae, Janel, Janella, Janelle, Janet, Janette, Jania, Janice, Janka (Hungarian and Polish), Janina (Polish), Janine, Janis, Janise, Jann, Janna (Latvian), Janot, Jany, Janyte (Lithuanian), Jasia (Polish), Jean, Jeanie, Jeanne (French), Jeannette (French), Jeannine, Jennetta, Jennette, Jennice, Jennie, Jenny (Scottish), Jinny (Scottish), Jo, Joan, Joana (Portuguese), Joane, Joanie, Joanka (Polish), Joanna, Joanne, Joeanna, Joeanne, Johanna (German), Johanne, Johnette, Jonette, Joni, Jonie, Jonnie, Jony, Juana (Spanish), Juanita (Spanish), Netta, Nita (Spanish), Seonaid (Scottish), Sheena (Irish), Sheenagh (Irish), Shena (Irish), Sian (Welsh), Sine (Gaelic), Sinead (Irish), Siwah (Welsh), Vania (Russian), Zanna, Zaneta (Russian) Janel (see Jane) Janella (see Jane) Janelle (see Jane) Janet Variation of Jane. Janet is one of the most popular twentieth-century names based on Jane. Christopher Fry named the lovely witch in his play The Lady's Not for Burning a variation of the name, Jennet. Famous names: Janet Gaynor (actress) Janet Leigh (actress) Janet Lynn (figure skater) Janet Maslin (film critic) Other spellings: Janette, Jannette Variations: Jennet, Jesse, Jessie Janette (see Jane, Janet) Janey (see Jane) Jania (see Jane) Janice Variation of Jane. At the turn of the century, everyone was reading Janice Meredith, a novel by Paul Leicester Ford, and many parents decided to use this "modern" name for their baby girls. Famous name: Janice Merrill (track athlete) Janie (see Jane) Janina (see Jane) Janine (see Jane) Janis Variation of Jane. Famous name: Janis Joplin (singer) Janise (see Jane) Janka (see Jane) Jann (see Jane) Janna (see Jane) Jannette (see Janet) Janot (see Jane) Januveva (see Genevieve) Jany (see Jane) Janyte (see Jane) Jasia (see Jane) Jasmin (see Jasmine) Jasmina (see Jasmine) Jasmine Persian flower name. Jasmine is often associated with passionate love. Other spelling: Jasmin Variations: Jasmina, Jassamyn, Jazz, Jessamine, Jessamyn, Mina, Minnie, Yasmine, Yasiman (Indian) Jassamyn (see Jasmine) Jatrud (see Gertrude) Jayme, Jaymee, Jaymie (see Jamie) Jayne Variation of Jane. Famous names: Jayne Meadows (actress) Jayne Anne Phillips (writer) Jazz (see Jasmine) Jean Scottish variation of Jane. Jean is probably derived from the old French Jehane, not the male name Jean. The name is a favorite in Scotland, and the best-loved Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote a charming poem in Scots dialect to his wife "I Love My Jean." Maggie Smith portrayed another Scottish woman named Jean in her stunning performance as the title character in the movie The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, based on a novel by Muriel Sparks. Famous names: Jean Harlow (actress) Jean Peters (actress) Jean Simmons (actress) Other spellings: Gene, Jeane, Jeanne Variations: Jeanette, Jeanie, Jeannette, Jeannie Jeane Variation of Jean. Famous name: Jeane Kirkpatrick (ambassador) Jeanette Variation of Jean. Famous name: Jeanette MacDonald (actress) Jeanie Variation of Jane or Jean. "I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair" from the song by Stephen Foster endeared this name to people in the last century. A charming genie named Jeanie in the 1960s television series I Dream of Jeanie has kept the name popular recently. Barbara Eden played the genie; Larry Hagman was her master. Jeanne French variation of Jane. Although the name Joan of Arc is better known to English speakers, the French call the Maid of Orleans Jeanne d'Arc. Famous name: Jeanne Moreau (actress) Variation: Jean Jeannette (see Jane, Jean) Jeannie (see Jean) Jeannine (see Jane) Jemima Hebrew "dove." In the Old Testament, Jemima was the first daughter born to Job after his affliction--not an auspicious beginning for a name. Many Puritans baptized their daughters with this name, but it is no longer used. The name is kept alive by the well-known brand name and two fictional characters, Beatrix Potters' Jemima Puddle-Duck and Antonia Fraser's Jemima Shore, the liberated London broadcast journalist who doubles as a sleuth. Other spelling: Jemimah Nicknames: Jemmie, Mimi Jemimah (see Jemima) Jemmie (see Jemima) Jen (see Genevieve, Guinevere, Jennifer) Jenefer (see Jennifer) Jenifer (see Jennifer) Jenna Form of Jennifer. It's the name of the character Priscilla Presley plays on television's long-running soap opera Dallas. Jennefer (see Jennifer) Jennet (see Janet) Jennetta (see Jane) Jennette (see Jane) Jenni, Jennie (see Jane, Jennifer, Genevieve) Jennice (see Jane) Jennie (see Guinevere, Jane) Jennifer Variation of Genevieve. Jennifer has been one of the most-popular names in the United States for the last 15 years. It's a relatively new name that probably developed in Cornwall and then became popular throughout England in the mid-twentieth century. The best-selling author Erich Segal used the name for the heroine of Love Story, a bitter-sweet tale about commitment that was very popular in the 1970s. The movie based on the book starred Ali MacGraw. Famous names: Jennifer Grey (actress) Jennifer Jones (actress) Jennifer O'Neill (actress) Other spellings: Gennifer, Jenefer, Jenifer, Jennefer Nicknames: Jen, Jenna, Jenni, Jennie, Jenny Variations: Genna, Genni, Gennie, Genny Jenny Form of Guinevere, Jane, and Jennifer. Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, took the United States by storm in the middle of the nineteenth century, when P.T. Barnum persuaded her to tour America singing arias from famous operas. Wherever she sang, audiences adored her and parents named their babies Jenny. Jeri, Jerri, Jerry (see Geraldine) Jesica (see Jessica) Jess (see Jessica) Jessalyn, Jessalynn (see Jessica) Jessamine (see Jasmine) Jessamyn (see Jasmine) Jessie Form of Jessica or Janet. When medieval artists represented the genealogy of Jesus, they often began with Jesse, the father of David. As a girls' name, Jessie probably comes from Scotland, where it's a pet name for Janet. Jesseca (see Jessica) Jessica Feminine form of Jesse, Hebrew "God exists." Until the 1970s, Jessica was a very unusual name. Shakespeare, who may even have made up the name, called Shylock's lovely daughter Jessica in The Merchant of Venice, but it was not until recently that large numbers of people began choosing this name. Famous names: Jessica Lange (actress) Jessica Tandy (actress) Jessica Walter (actress) Other spellings: Jesica, Jesseca Nicknames: Jess, Jessie, Jessy Variations: Jessalyn, Jessalynn, Jesse, Jesslyn, Jyssica Jesslyn (see Jessica) Jessy (see Jessica) Jeva (see Genevieve) Jewel Old French jouel, "jewel." Although less specific than Pearl or Chrystal, this is one of the "jewel" names that were popular at the turn of the century. Other spellings: Jewell, Jewelle Jewell, Jewelle (see Jewel) Jill Variation of Julia. In Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night Dream, the name Jill is paired with Jack. "Jack shall have Jill; Nought shall go ill." Famous names: Jill Clayburgh (actress) Jill Eikenberry (actress) Jill St. John (actress) Variations: Gillian, Jillian (Irish), Jilliana, Jillie, Jilly Jillian (see Gillian, Jill, Julia) Jilliana (see Jill) Jillie, Jilly (see Gillina, Jill) Jina Swahili "name." Jinny (see Jane) Jinoveva (see Genevieve) Jitka (see Judith) Jo Variation of Josephine. Jo is the strong-willed sister in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. She is the character that represents the author and later novels follow her as a grown-up. In the movie, Katharine Hepburn plays Jo. Famous name: JoBeth Williams (actress) Variations: Jane, Joan, Joann, Jocelyn, Joe, Joella Jo Ann (see Joann) Joan Feminine form of John, Hebrew "the Lord is gracious." The name Joan dates back at least as far as the twelfth century, when it is recorded as the name of a daughter of Henry II of England. Jeanne d'Arc, who became known as Joan primarily through George Bernard's play St. Joan, is the patron saint of France. She was a poor peasant girl, but after hearing the voices of saints, she donned armour and inspired the French forces in battle. After several initial successes in battle, she was captured and turned over to the English. They caused her to be burned at the stake as a witch in 1431. Famous names: Joan Benoit (marathoner) Joan Crawford (actress) Joan Sutherland (soprano) Nicknames: Jo, Joanie, Joni, Jonie, Jonnie, Jony Variations: Jane, Joana, Joann, Joanna, Joanne, Jodie, Jody Joana, Joanna Variations of Joan. Although not as common as Joan, this is a popular English name and was the name of the wife of Henry V. Famous names: Joanna Cassidy (actress) Joanna Pacula (actress) Joanna Pettet (actress) Variations: Joan, Joann Joanie (see Jane, Joan) Joanka (see Jane) Joann, Joanne Variations of Joan. Famous name: Joanne Woodward (actress) Variations: Jo, Jo Ann, Joanna Joceline (see Jocelyn) Jocelyn Old German gautelen, "of the Goths"; also, Celtic josse, "winner, champion." This lovely old name is becoming popular in the United States. Other spellings: Joceline, Joscelin, Josceline Nicknames: Jo, Joe, Josie Variations: Goslin, Gosling, Jodoca (Welsh), Joscelind, Joscelyne, Josselyn, Joyce, Justine Jodie, Jody Variations of Joan, Josephine, and Judith. This nickname can also be used as a first name. Famous name: Jodie Foster (actress) Jodoca (see Jocelyn) Joe (see Jo, Jocelyn, Josephine) Joeanna (see Jane) Joeanne (see Jane) Joella Feminine form of Joel, Hebrew "the lord is willing." Variations: Ella, Jo, Joely Joely Variation of Joella. Joette (see Josephine) Johanna (see Jane) Johanne (see Jane) Johnette (see Jane) Joice (see Joy, Joyce) Joisse (see Joyce) Joleen (see Joline) Jolene (see Joline) Joletta (see Julia, Violet) Joline Joe + feminine suffix -line. Other spellings: Joleen, Jolene Jonette (see Jane) Joni (see Jane, Joan, Jonie) Jonie Feminine form of John, Hebrew "the Lord is gracious." Famous name: Joni Mitchell (singer) Other spellings: Joni, Jonni, Jony Variations: Jane, Joan Jonnie, Jony (see Jane, Joan, Jonie) Jortensia (see Hortense) Joscelin (see Jocelyn) Joscelind (see Jocelyn) Josceline (see Jocelyn) Joscelyne (see Jocelyn, Justine) Josee (see Josephine) Josefa (see Josephine) Josefina (see Josephine) Josepha (see Josephine) Josephe (see Josephine) Josephina (see Josephine) Josephine Feminine form of Joseph, Hebrew "the Lord added." The most-famous royal woman to bear this name is Josephine Beauharnais, who became the wife of Napoleon and empress of France. Her first husband was beheaded, but she was saved from execution and later met General Bonaparte. Empress Josephine's contribution to history is the Empire dress. She also introduced the practice of wearing court dresses with trains. Famous name: Josephine Jacobsen (poet) Nicknames: Jo, Jodie, Jody, Joe, Josee, Josie Variations: Fifi (French), Fifine (French), Giuseppina (Italian), Josefa (Spanish), Josefina (Spanish), Josepha (German), Josephe (French), Josephina (French), Joette, Josette, Jozefa, Pepita (Spanish), Seosaimhthin (Irish) Josette (see Josephine) Josie (see Jocelyn, Josephine) Josselyn (see Jocelyn) Joy Old French joie, "joy." Variations: Joice, Joya, Joyana, Joyce, Joyeuse (French), Joyous Joya (see Joy) Joyana (see Joy) Joyce Latin jocassa, "merry"; also, a variation of Joy. In England, Joyce is used for both boys and girls. Famous name: Joyce Carol Oates (novelist) Variations: Joceyln, Joice, Joisse (French), Joyous Joyeuse (see Joy) Joyous (see Joy, Joyce) Jozefa (see Josephine) Juana (see Jane) Juanita (see Jane) Jude (see Judith) Judie (see Judith) Judit (see Judith) Judith Hebrew "a Jewess" or "praised." Judith of Brittany married Richard II, Duke of Normandy, and became the grandmother of William the Conqueror. Famous names: Dame Judith Anderson (actress) Judith Rossner (novelist) Nicknames: Jodie, Jody, Judie, Judy Variations: Giuditta (Italian), Jitka, Jude, Judit (Spanish and Swedish), Jutta (German), Siobhan (Irish), Siubhan (Scottish), Yehudit (Israeli), Zuzeth Judy Variation of Judith. This popular diminutive of Judith was the stage name of one of the twentieth century's greatest performers, Judy Garland. Famous names: Judy Collins (singer) Judy Holliday (actress) Juli (see Julia) Julia Feminine form of Julian, a Latin family name. Julia was a popular name during the Renaissance in Italy. Since that time, parents in Europe and the United States have often used the name. Famous names: Julia Child (food expert) Julia Duffy (actress) Julia Ward Howe (poet and reformer) Nicknames: Juli, Julie Variations: Gillian, Gillie, Giulia (Italian), Giulietta (Italian), Jill, Jillian, Joletta, Juliana, Julianna, Juliet, Julieta (Spanish), Julietta, Juliette (French), Julina, Juline, Sile (Irish), Sileas (Scottish) Juliana, Julianna Variations of Julia. St. Juliana got into trouble by rejecting the advances of a nobleman. According to legend, more than 500 people were converted after she was thrown into a furnace and the fire went out. Julianne Variation of Julia. Julie Variation of Julia. Julie may have started out as a nickname for Julia, but it is now a very popular name in its own right. It ranks among the 50 most-popular names in the United States. Famous names: Julie Andrews (singer and actress) Julie Kavner (actress) Juliet Form of Julia. William Shakespeare coined this name from the Italian name Giulietta for the famous tragic heroine of Romeo and Juliet. Famous names: Juliet Mills (actress) Juliet Prowse (dancer) Other spelling: Juliette Julieta, Julietta (see Julia) Juliette Variation of Julia and Juliet. Julina (see Julia) Juline (see Julia) June Latin name of a month. In the nineteenth century, this was the most-popular "month" name, but today it has been surpassed by April. Famous name: June Allyson (actress) Variations: Junette, Junia (Greek), Juniata, Junie, Junilla, Junine Junette (see June) Junia (see June) Juniata (see June) Junie (see June) Junilla (see June) Junine (see June) Justa (see Justine) Justina (see Justine) Justine Feminine form of Justin, Latin "the just." St. Justina shared horrible tortures with St. Cyprian, although it was said that neither saint suffered. She is the patron saint of Padua, Italy. Famous name: Justine Bateman (actress) Variations: Giustina (Italian), Guistina, Joscelyn, Justa, Justina (Greek and Spanish), Justinn, Justyna (Polish) Justinn (see Justine) Justyna (see Justine) Jutta (see Judith) Jyssica (see Jessica)