Jay
Peaked at #78 nationally in 1960, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Jay has been recorded 1% of the time for girls and 99% of the time for boys.
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Jay — Girls (United States)
StablePeak rank
#1205
in 1926
Current rank
#7043
in 2024
Years tracked
114
1896–2024
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1896, Jay reached its peak popularity for girls in 1926, ranking #1205 nationally with 41 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #7124 (2014) to #7043 (2024) — a 1% improvement.
As of 2024, Jay ranks #7043 nationally for girls, with 16 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #7,043 | 16 |
| 2023 | #9,262 | 11 |
| 2022 | #7,794 | 14 |
| 2021 | #8,692 | 12 |
| 2020 | #8,625 | 12 |
| 2019 | #8,809 | 12 |
| 2017 | #9,013 | 12 |
| 2016 | #15,135 | 6 |
Jay — Boys (United States)
StablePeak rank
#78
in 1960
Current rank
#396
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1880, Jay reached its peak popularity for boys in 1960, ranking #78 nationally with 5,383 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #371 (2014) to #396 (2024) — a 6% drop.
As of 2024, Jay ranks #396 nationally for boys, with 819 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #396 | 819 |
| 2023 | #381 | 835 |
| 2022 | #367 | 897 |
| 2021 | #376 | 864 |
| 2020 | #381 | 807 |
| 2019 | #374 | 847 |
| 2018 | #398 | 799 |
| 2017 | #382 | 859 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Jay most popular?
Jay was most popular in 1960, when it ranked #78 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Jay becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently stable; for boys, it's currently stable, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Jay?
At least 197,300 babies have been recorded with the name Jay in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Jay? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.