Jody Unisex

Popularity: #875 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationJOH-dee / /ˈdʒoʊdi/

English; Hebrew

Meaning

English: Modern diminutive of Joseph; Hebrew: He will add

Historical & Cultural Background

Jody is often considered a modern diminutive of the name Joseph. It gained popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name has been used for both boys and girls, though it is more commonly associated with females in recent decades. Jody has a friendly and approachable sound, contributing to its appeal as a given name.

Trend Summary

Jody experienced peak popularity in the 1970s and has since declined in usage.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Jodie
  • Jodye

International Variants

  • Jodie (English)
  • Jody (English)

Famous people named Jody

Jody Watley is an American singer-songwriter known for her work in the music industry and as a member of the group Shalamar.

Jody Hill is an American filmmaker and actor recognized for co-creating the television series 'Eastbound & Down'.

Jody Foster is an acclaimed American actress and director, known for her roles in films such as 'Taxi Driver' and 'The Silence of the Lambs'.

Jody Sykes is a notable American football player who played in the NFL.

Fictional characters named Jody

Jody is a character in the film 'The Last Picture Show', representing the complexities of teenage life.

Jody is a character in the animated series 'The Magic School Bus', known for her adventurous spirit.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jody was first seen in the United States in 1910. Jody has ranked as high as #329 nationally, which occurred in 1971, and has been most popular in California, North Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, and New York. In the past 5 years the name Jody has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Jody (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 12
60%
CA 8
40%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19106
19177
19196
19205
19217
192312
192411
192510
192612
192715
192811
192914
19309
19318
19327
193313
193412
193516
193617
193718
193824
193922
194024
194118
194231
194325
194432
194527
194651
1947137
1948133
1949122
1950138
1951154
1952185
1953190
1954201
1955297
1956292
1957389
1958661
1959897
1960994
1961836
1962593
1963735
1964741
1965676
1966752
19671,057
19681,298
19691,589
19701,500
19711,704
19721,339
19731,242
19741,124
1975939
1976996
19771,061
1978843
1979731
1980604
1981493
1982366
1983331
1984322
1985295
1986271
1987249
1988252
1989219
1990214
1991202
1992139
1993136
1994150
1995126
1996128
1997106
1998110
1999106
200080
200192
200287
2003100
2004103
200579
200687
2007102
200883
200974
201074
201174
201261
201359
201468
201557
201648
201748
201852
201934
202040
202147
202237
202350
202449