Holding steady.
Popularity of Jocilyn since 1980
Babies named Jocilyn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 26 |
| 1990s | 98 |
| 2000s | 168 |
| 2010s | 91 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
The name Jocilyn first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1980, reflecting the 20th-century trend of creating new spellings for established names. It reached its highest point of usage in 2009, though it has never been common. In the most recent available year (2025), the name was given to fewer than 5 newborns, and it has not appeared in national rankings. Despite its rarity, Jocilyn has shown remarkable stability over time, with its trajectory classified as 'stable', meaning it has not experienced dramatic surges or declines in usage. Jocilyn is a feminized respelling, akin to Madelyn or Kaitlyn, and its appeal lies in its familiar sound and distinctive spelling.
Jocilyn is a modern respelling of Jocelyn, a name that itself has debated origins. The traditional view connects it to the Old French Jocelyn, from a Germanic personal name 'Gautelen' or 'Gozelin', meaning 'little Gaut' (a tribal name). Alternatively, some trace it to Latin 'jocosus' (joyful) via the medieval name 'Jocosa'. The spelling Jocilyn appears as a 20th-century variation, likely influenced by the popular suffix '-lyn'.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Joss, Joci, Lyn
Sibling names for Jocilyn
Names that share Jocilyn's style, for a brother or sister.
