Jocelyn
Jocelyn is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Member of the Geats tribe.
Origin and history
Jocelyn is a traditional name derived from the Germanic tribal name Gaut, introduced to England by the Normans. Originally used primarily as a masculine name, it shifted to predominantly feminine usage in the United States during the mid-20th century. It remains a consistently chosen classic with a refined sound.
Popularity in the United States
113,061 babies in the United States have been named Jocelyn since 1880. It ranks #341 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #334.
States where it is most popular
- CA (24.1 %)
- TX (11.7 %)
- NY (6 %)
- IL (6 %)
- PA (4.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 6 |
| 1910-1920 | 142 |
| 1920-1930 | 472 |
| 1930-1940 | 642 |
| 1940-1950 | 688 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,966 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,765 |
| 1970-1980 | 5,215 |
| 1980-1990 | 8,787 |
| 1990-2000 | 20,884 |
| 2000-2010 | 38,389 |
| 2010-2019 | 26,357 |
| 2020-2029 | 5,748 |
Famous people named Jocelyn
- Jocelyn Bell Burnell: Astrophysicist, Astronomer
- Jocelyn Elders: Pediatrician, Surgeon General
Nicknames
Joss, Josie, Lyn
Fun facts
- The name was brought to England by the Normans in forms like Goscelin and became common in the Middle Ages.
- Historically a masculine name, Jocelyn transitioned to a predominantly feminine name in the United States in the 20th century.