boy name
Jay
Gender
Boy
Popularity
#392 · U.S. boys (2025)
Popularity of Jay in the US, 1880–2025
Jay first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 1960, when 5,385 boys were given the name; in 2025 there were 809.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Jay popular?
Steady Jay has held fairly steady over the past decade, after peaking in 1960.
| 2020s | 5,037 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 7,924 | |
| 2000s | 8,167 | |
| 1990s | 10,686 | |
| 1980s | 15,841 | |
| 1970s | 23,971 | |
| 1960s | 42,712 | |
| 1950s | 36,969 | |
| 1940s | 18,655 | |
| 1930s | 10,217 | |
| 1920s | 8,054 | |
| 1910s | 4,455 | |
| 1900s | 926 | |
| 1890s | 918 | |
| 1880s | 1,016 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Jay a boy or a girl name?
Jay is most commonly used as a boy name.
Is Jay a popular name right now?
Jay has held fairly steady over the past decade, after peaking in 1960.
How popular is the name Jay?
In 2025, Jay ranked #392 among boys’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Jay most popular?
Jay was most popular in 1960, when about 5,385 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.