Baby Name Popularity Profile

Jay

Data-driven popularity statistics, SSA rankings, and historical trends for the name Jay.

National Rank (2025)
#392
All-Time Peak Rank
#78 (1960)
Total U.S. Births
195,548
Unisex Distribution 98.7% Boy / 1.3% Girl Balance: Overwhelmingly Male
💡 The Jay Vibe: This choice is considered a Modern Trend. A contemporary choice reflecting current cultural naming rhythms and popularity brackets.

📖 The Story Behind Jay

According to SSA data, Jay achieved its highest historical rank of #78 in 1960. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 1960 with 5,385 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have increased by 0.4%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 146 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Watch how the absolute registration footprint of the name Jay scaled historically over the last century:

5-Year Trajectory Velocity Stable
10-Year Decadal Shift Change +0.4% Growth
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 5,385 Births in 1960
Years in Top 100
16 yrs
Registry Appearance Streak
146 Years
Historical Volatility Moderately Volatile
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 1,016
1890s: 918
1900s: 926
1910s: 4,455
1920s: 8,054
1930s: 10,217
1940s: 18,655
1950s: 36,969
1960s: 42,712
1970s: 23,971
1980s: 15,841
1990s: 10,686
2000s: 8,167
2010s: 7,924
2020s: 5,037

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Jay
Letter Count 3 Letters
Spelling Complexity Easy
Linguistic Profile Narrative: It is an isogram, meaning no two letters are repeated. Longer than 0.2% of SSA names. Starts with J, a letter used by only 7.8% of SSA names.

🛠️ Rhythm & Cadence Engine

Need a middle name or matching choice that pairs cleanly with Jay? Enter a surname or older sibling name below to test structural meter and syllable cohesion:

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking Local Zone State Utah
Strongest Geographic Region Footprint South
States with Core Active Data 51 States Regions
State Region 2025 Absolute Rank Total Historical Births Peak Year 5-Year Velocity
Utah #173 3,839 1951 Insufficient historical volume
Idaho #352 1,734 1956 Insufficient historical volume
North Dakota Unranked 1,357 1962 Insufficient historical volume
Montana Unranked 1,173 1960 Insufficient historical volume
Wyoming Unranked 476 1960 Insufficient historical volume
South Dakota #206 1,170 1961 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa #282 4,337 1963 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska #354 2,351 1962 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota #400 5,816 1960 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas #410 3,155 1964 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin #542 5,728 1960 Insufficient historical volume
Washington #314 4,452 1962 Insufficient historical volume
Oklahoma #440 3,566 1964 Insufficient historical volume
Hawaii Unranked 797 1958 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #381 13,727 1961 3.4% Decline
Indiana #295 6,045 1959 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon #452 2,254 1956 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado #517 2,761 1962 Insufficient historical volume
Vermont Unranked 395 1958 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #342 9,960 1962 +32.0% Growth
Alaska Unranked 293 1958 Insufficient historical volume
Delaware Unranked 423 1958 Insufficient historical volume
New York #400 15,741 1960 8.5% Decline
New Hampshire Unranked 639 1958 Insufficient historical volume
Connecticut #344 2,197 1958 Insufficient historical volume
District of Columbia Unranked 884 1958 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan #334 7,364 1958 Insufficient historical volume
Illinois #356 9,408 1957 16.7% Decline
New Jersey #349 5,116 1960 Insufficient historical volume
Massachusetts #340 4,500 1958 Insufficient historical volume
Maine #248 790 1960 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri #405 3,984 1960 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland #399 2,652 1958 Insufficient historical volume
New Mexico Unranked 942 1960 Insufficient historical volume
Texas #428 12,627 1960 25.5% Decline
West Virginia Unranked 1,499 1968 Insufficient historical volume
California #363 16,013 1962 15.0% Decline
Arkansas #515 1,722 1964 Insufficient historical volume
Arizona #605 1,942 1960 Insufficient historical volume
Nevada #475 521 1963 Insufficient historical volume
Rhode Island Unranked 526 1959 Insufficient historical volume
Florida #342 4,693 1961 +103.6% Growth
Kentucky #754 2,221 1962 Insufficient historical volume
Tennessee #444 2,695 1963 Insufficient historical volume
North Carolina #482 3,492 1960 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #371 2,746 1960 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana #714 2,177 1961 Insufficient historical volume
Georgia #660 3,064 1963 44.4% Decline
Alabama #498 1,986 1962 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina #632 1,457 1963 Insufficient historical volume
Mississippi Unranked 1,104 1964 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
Clark Martin Russell Kip Dan Tim Ken Art Ron Tor
👧 Sister Suggestions
Laura Carmen Regina Michelle Liz Kim Dea Lei Dee Beth

🔗 Names You Might Also Like

If you love the internal rhythm structural framework metrics of Jay, consider these high-cohesion alternative profiles:

Demographic & Volume Sound Character Peers
Joy Jax Jeffrey Joey Jon Jud Johnny Jeffery Jefferey Jeffory

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