Classic Boy Names That Start with J

Given that you're here, chances are you're looking for a classic boy name that starts with J. You're not alone. Every year, thousands of parents comb through baby name books and lists in hope of finding the perfect classic J-name for their baby boys. Many of the traditional J-names trace their roots to the Bible (think James, Jacob, John, Joseph, and Jonathan), but there are also plenty of non-biblical options. Read on for our full list of classic boy names starting with J.

1. James. James is originally a biblical name but appeals to a range of parents in the modern world.
2. Jack. A short, zappy moniker with incredible staying power.
3. Jacob. A biblical favorite that never seems to go out of style.
4. John. A timeless classic with history to spare.
5. Joseph. A biblical stalwart that never seems to lose its staying power.
6. Julian. This saint's name marries great provenance with a modern sensibility.
7. Josiah. A long-forgotten biblical classic that has seen a huge surge in popularity this century.
8. Joshua. A popular J-name with strong biblical credentials.
9. Jonathan. Jonathan gives you a dapper biblical classic without a time stamp.
10. Jeremiah. A towering, classic boy name from the Old Testament.
11. Jordan. This gender-neutral name brings to mind different things for different people.
12. Jasper. Jasper may be a gemstone, but it's also a beloved baby name, with literary cachet to boot.
13. Jason. A faith-filled New Testament classic to some; a pretty secular boy name for others.
14. Jonah. A popular boy name borrowed from an Old Testament prophet.
15. Justin. This old saint's name has fallen far from its glory days, but make no mistake, it still has broad appeal.
16. Jesse. A time-honored name of biblical origin.
17. Joel. An Old Testament prophet name that has proven incredibly resilient.
18. Julius. The name of the famous Roman emperor and a number of popes and saints, this J-name hits the mark for a classic but not boring choice.
19. Jake. A Jacob short form that has also a long history of steady—but not chart-topping—use as an independent given name.
20. Johnny. Always a solid choice, whether used independently or as a nickname.
21. Jerry. Jerry may be a nickname for names like Gerald and Jeremiah, but works independently, too.
22. Joe. A traditional nickname for Joseph, Joe is also a given name in its own right.
23. Jerome. A saintly classic that has temporarily lost its way.