Joss: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#9,283

among boys · ↓2,650 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Joss

How common

1 in 213,510

boys born in 2025

Peak year

2005

41 babies

All-time total

691

#8,559 all-time among boys

First recorded

1977

in Social Security records

Joss popularity over time

691 babies have been named Joss since 1977, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1970s	–	11	11	1	–	#5,414
1980s	–	18	18	2	+64%	#5,449
1990s	–	28	28	3	+56%	#7,607
2000s	76	132	208	21	+643%	#3,872
2010s	133	151	284	28	+37%	#4,620
2020s (to 2025)	46	96	142	24	-17%	#3,864

The story of Joss

Joss is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #9,283 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1977, 691 American babies have been named Joss, about 63% boys and 37% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2005, when 41 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2000s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Joss stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Joss?

The median living Joss is about 12 years old; half are between 7 and 19. An estimated 700 people named Joss are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Joss year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	5	#15,989	8	#9,283
2024	6	#14,274	13	#6,633
2023	9	#10,705	15	#6,066
2022	7	#12,840	14	#6,305
2021	7	#12,796	19	#5,014
2020	12	#8,649	27	#3,864
2019	9	#10,869	18	#5,250
2018	10	#10,157	11	#7,356
2017	15	#7,634	20	#4,837
2016	18	#6,770	16	#5,666
2015	20	#6,337	15	#5,866
2014	18	#6,844	21	#4,620
2013	5	#17,842	16	#5,522
2012	9	#11,703	15	#5,844
2011	12	#9,414	11	#7,232
2010	17	#7,347	8	#9,213
2009	13	#9,120	14	#6,261
2008	18	#7,212	9	#8,647
2007	8	#13,242	20	#4,719
2006	20	#6,467	14	#5,937
2005	17	#6,980	24	#3,872
2004	–	–	10	#7,251
2003	–	–	15	#5,152
2002	–	–	13	#5,559
2001	–	–	6	#9,891
2000	–	–	7	#8,645
1995	–	–	–	–
1990	–	–	6	#7,607
1985	–	–	–	–
1980	–	–	5	#6,738
1975	–	–	–	–
1970	–	–	–	–
1965	–	–	–	–
1960	–	–	–	–
1955	–	–	–	–
1950	–	–	–	–
1945	–	–	–	–
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	–	–
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Famous people named Joss

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Joss Whedon American director, screenwriter, and producer (born 1964) Contemporary
2 Joss Stone English singer, songwriter, and actress (born 1987) Contemporary
3 Joss Ackland British actor (1928–2023) Contemporary
4 Joss Christensen American freestyle skier b. 1991 · Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Joss, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Joss?

The median living Joss is about 12 years old. Half of all living Josss are between 7 and 19 years old.

How many people named Joss are alive today?

An estimated 700 people named Joss are alive in the United States, based on 691 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Joss mean?

Verb usage evolved from the name of Joss Whedon, creator of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly.

How popular is the name Joss in 2025?

Joss ranked #9,283 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Joss?

691 babies have been named Joss in the United States since 1977, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Joss most popular?

Joss peaked in 2005, when 41 newborns received the name.

Is Joss a boy or girl name?

Joss is used for both: about 37% of babies named Joss have been girls and 63% boys.

Is the name Joss rising or falling?

Joss is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Joss?

Well-known people named Joss include Joss Whedon (writer), Joss Stone (singer), Joss Ackland (actor).

Names like Joss

Names that sound and feel close to Joss: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Joss with similar names → More names starting with J →