Holding steady, #7,885 for girls today.
Popularity of Jaye since 1920
Babies named Jaye per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 11 | 13 |
| 1930s | 37 | 55 |
| 1940s | 195 | 53 |
| 1950s | 784 | 163 |
| 1960s | 512 | 189 |
| 1970s | 231 | 135 |
| 1980s | 179 | 134 |
| 1990s | 162 | 122 |
| 2000s | 137 | 89 |
| 2010s | 156 | 113 |
| 2020s | 64 | 52 |
Meaning & origin
Jaye first appeared in U.S. records in 1927, and has seen modest but consistent use as a variant of Jay. Its peak popularity came in 1956, likely influenced by the broader mid-century fondness for short, simple names. The name is currently stable in usage, with a rank of 7,885 in 2025 and an estimated 1 in 123,636 babies receiving it. While not tied to any specific region, its modern sound and flexible gender alignment keep it in occasional use across the country. Jaye offers a slightly more distinctive spelling than the classic Jay, appealing to parents seeking familiarity with a twist.
Jaye is a modern spelling variant of Jay, itself derived from the Old French 'gai' meaning 'jaybird', or as a diminutive of names like Jason or James. It has been used as a given name since the 19th century, and the Jaye spelling emerged in the early 20th century, gaining moderate popularity in the mid-1900s.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Jay
Sibling names for Jaye
Names that share Jaye's style, for a brother or sister.
