The baby name Joss blends medieval roots with modern appeal.
Thanks to Kathryn for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME JOSS MEAN?
The most obvious answer? Joss is short for Jocelyn.
And Jocelyn? It goes way back. To the early Middle Ages.
The Frankish name Gauzlin evolved from a Germanic element: gaut or goz. It referred to the name of a tribe. The Gauts or Geats lived in what we now call Sweden. Gauzlin and Gautselin became Goscelin.
It’s found as an element in Nordic Names. The Dictionary of Medieval Names lists related names, like Gautbert, too.
It is also recorded in Latinized forms, like Gaudenlenus and Gozelinus.
The Normans brought the name to England, where it became a boy’s name: Jocelyn.
ENTER JOYCE
There’s also Judoc, a Breton name from the element iud – lord, as in the title for a ruler. It’s ultimately related to the same Latin root that gives us judge.
Judoc became Josse or Joyce. It’s the name of a 7th century Breton saint, and thus, has survived across the ages.
While the name initially faded, it was later revived – probably because the spelling Joyce resembled the Middle English word that evolved into rejoice.
Joyce became a feminine given name, as well as a sometimes surname.
THE RISE OF JOCELYN
Joyce helped open the door to Jocelyn as a female name. So did favorites like Evelyn, Marilyn, and Carolyn.
And Jocelyn helped bring back Joss.
That’s not the only way to get to this short form, though. Traditional male name Joseph is another obvious path.
21ST CENTURY NICKNAME NAME
A handful of famous bearers have boosted the name ever so slightly in recent years.
- English actor Joss Ackland, born Sidney Edmond Jocelyn, might have inspired the use of the name for boys in the 1970s.
- Director Joss Whedon, born Joseph, rose to fame as creator of Buffy The Vampire Slayer in the 1990s and later as part of the MCU’s Avengers films.
- English singer Joss Stone – born Joscelyn Stoker – helped claim this as a girl’s name, too.
UNISEX NAME … OR SOMETHING ELSE?
One more association: another name for incense is joss sticks.
In China and India, the term joss evolved from the Portuguese word for god – deus. It was dejos in Javanese, and eventually just joss. It can also signify luck or good fortunate.
In our age of Bodhi and Zion, a hint of spiritual meaning can be a plus.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME JOSS?
This name has never been especially common.
It first appears in the US data as an indepedent name in the year 1977, when five boys were named Joss.
During the 2010s, the name increased in usage modestly, but the numbers remained small. 20 girls received the name in 2015, and 27 boys in 2020.
As of 2025, just five girls and 8 boys were named Joss. One possible reason? The Hollywood director’s fall from grace, thanks to serious accusations of misconduct.
But this name has always been bigger than just one person, and has history to spare.
Besides, if parents are opting for Jake and Kate on the birth certificate, why not just Joss?
UNDISCOVERED GEM
If your vibe is casual, but still storied, this might be the perfect name for your family.
Choose it as a nickname for Jocelyn, Joseph, Josiah, Josephine, or any name with Jos- sound. Use it as an unexpected middle.
And if you’re looking for a short, unusual, gender-neutral given name that feels familiar but is rarely bestowed? This might be the right first name for your child.
What do you think of the baby name Joss?
First published on July 8, 2015, this post was revised on December 1, 2015 and August 13, 2026.
I named my daughter Joss Oakley in 2010!
I am not sure about the Joyce theory – the name is pretty steady in England – British baby names has an interesting post on the name for those interested in the use of the name. I have liked the name since I heard it on a pg Wodehouse character (male) as a child. I have also once seen it as a surname. In my head it is feminine and if I had used it I would have called her Josie.
I have a grandmother Joyce, which is kind of dated. I love Jocelyn nn Joss as a nod to my grandmother. One of my favorites, on my very short list. I like the alt spellings Joscelyn and Joscelin too.
I think it works well for boys too, but I prefer it as a nn, and I don’t like the formal names for boys as well.
Even though I’m a huge fan of Buffy and Firefly, Joss Whedon actually ruined this one for me. I used to have Joss on my list as a nickname for Joseph, but now that I’ve heard stories about him and how much of a feminist he is NOT, it’s… off the list. It is a cool nickname though! I hope more people who aren’t big nerds like me will use it.