Jocelyn Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationJOSS-lin / /ˈdʒɒs.lɪn/Old French; Latin
Meaning
Old French: joyful; Latin: little Goth
Historical & Cultural Background
Jocelyn originally emerged as a masculine name in Old French, derived from the name of a Germanic tribe, the Gauts. Over time, it transitioned into a more feminine usage, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name has been popularized in various cultures and has seen fluctuations in usage over the centuries. Today, it is often considered a unisex name, though it remains more commonly associated with females.
Trend Summary
Jocelyn has experienced varying popularity in the U.S., peaking in the late 20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Jocelin
- Joscelin
International Variants
- Jocelyn (English)
- Jocelyne (French)
- Jocelina (Spanish)
Famous people named Jocelyn
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Fictional characters named Jocelyn
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jocelyn was first seen in the United States in 1975. Jocelyn has ranked as high as #1225 nationally, which occurred in 1993, and has been most popular in California, and District of Columbia. In the past 5 years the name Jocelyn has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Jocelyn (1998)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 7 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1977 | 7 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1979 | 13 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 7 |
| 1982 | 11 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1987 | 7 |
| 1988 | 15 |
| 1989 | 17 |
| 1990 | 8 |
| 1991 | 10 |
| 1992 | 16 |
| 1993 | 22 |
| 1994 | 11 |
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 1997 | 10 |
| 1998 | 12 |
| 1999 | 12 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2016 | 6 |