Declining since 2011, #7,133 for girls today.
Popularity of Josslyn since 1953
Babies named Josslyn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 32 |
| 1990s | 94 |
| 2000s | 627 |
| 2010s | 1,217 |
| 2020s | 196 |
Meaning & origin
Josslyn first appeared on the U.S. Social Security list in 1953, but remained very uncommon for decades. It experienced a modest surge, peaking at a rank of 7,133 in 2011, after which it entered a gradual decline. By 2025 it had fallen to the same rank of 7,133, with only 1 in 107,151 newborns receiving the name. The name's trajectory reflects the broader trend of Jocelyn variants rising and falling in popularity. Josslyn has never been associated with any top states, indicating its sporadic usage across the country. Its appeal likely lies in its melodic sound and the fashionable -lyn suffix, common in modern English coinages. While its etymology is debated, the name carries a contemporary feel with a nod to medieval roots.
Josslyn is a modern spelling variant of Jocelyn, a name that entered English via Old French from the Germanic name Gauzelin. The original Germanic element 'Gaut' refers to the Geatish tribe. The name was historically masculine in medieval England but became common for girls from the 20th century onward. The spelling Josslyn gained modest popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Joss, Josie, Lyn
Sibling names for Josslyn
Names that share Josslyn's style, for a brother or sister.
