Joss Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Joss is a name that originated from the Old French name 'Joscelin', itself a diminutive of the Germanic 'Godehard'. It means 'God's peace' or 'brave'. The name has evolved through various forms over centuries. While it does not have biblical relevance, Joss has gained popularity since the 19th century. It is considered a modern and unique name today, with notable bearers contributing to its contemporary image.
The name Joss is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Joss has been stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Joss' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8221st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 11113th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6349th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5371st out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 12233rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 9144th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Joss' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Joss"
Pronunciation
/dʒɒs/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Joss is derived from the name 'Jocelyn', which comes from the Old French name 'Joscelin', a diminutive of the Germanic name 'Godehard', meaning 'God' and 'brave'.
Meaning
God's peace, or brave
Language Evolution
Godehard, Joscelin, Jocelyn, Joss
Historical Usage
The name Joss gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century as a short form of Jocelyn and has remained in use since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Jocelyn, Josie, Jossie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Joss is perceived as a modern and unique name, often associated with creativity and individuality.
Famous People
Joss Stone, a British singer and songwriter, Joss Whedon, an American filmmaker and screenwriter
📊 Joss Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Joss Name Visualizations
✨ Joss Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 41 peak births in 2005
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 US states, with strongest presence in Texas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Joss"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Joss"
"Joss" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8221st of 10718 | 16 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 11113th of 16616 | 24 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6349th of 24088 | 183 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5371st of 23106 | 205 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 12233rd of 35406 | 114 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 9144th of 30306 | 136 |
Regional Popularity of "Joss" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
57.64% 3932nd/6822 |
62.16% 3901st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Joss" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Joss"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Joss" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.