Jr
Jr is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Younger; short form of Junior.
Origin and history
Jr originated as an abbreviation for Junior, used to designate a son named after his father, but it is occasionally registered directly as a given name in the United States. Derived from the Latin word iuvenis, it carries the literal meaning of younger. In modern times, it remains an uncommon choice as an official primary given name.
Popularity in the United States
1,729 babies in the United States have been named Jr since 1880. It ranks #3063 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1790.
States where it is most popular
- CA (46.7 %)
- TX (28.9 %)
- GA (5.3 %)
- WV (4.8 %)
- SC (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 34 |
| 1920-1930 | 190 |
| 1930-1940 | 110 |
| 1940-1950 | 47 |
| 1950-1960 | 5 |
| 1960-1970 | 67 |
| 1970-1980 | 111 |
| 1980-1990 | 214 |
| 1990-2000 | 216 |
| 2000-2010 | 312 |
| 2010-2019 | 286 |
| 2020-2029 | 137 |
Fun facts
- While Jr. is standardly appended to a son's full name to distinguish him from his father, some parents register 'Jr' directly as the child's first name.
- The term Junior derives from the Latin comparative adjective iuvenis, meaning young.