How to Pronounce Joy
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Joy name meaning
Last Name
13k
in the U.S.
in 2010
13k
in the U.S.
in 2010
Girls
Boys
Meaning and Origin
What does the name Joy mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Joy
User Submitted Origins
English
64%
Filipino (Philippines)
9%
African
5%
Hebrew
5%
Chinese
2%
Jewish
2%
Greek
2%
Nigerian
2%
Canadian
2%
American
2%
Arabic
2%
Indian (Sanskrit)
2%
User Submitted Meanings
- 10 submissions from all over the world agree the name Joy means "Happiness" and is of English origin.
- 3 people from all over the world agree the name Joy is of English / Canadian origin and means "Happy".
- According to a user from New Jersey, U.S., the name Joy is of African origin and means "it is great and a lot of happiness".
- According to a user from New Jersey, U.S., the name Joy is of American origin and means "Very Joyful/Really Happy".
- A user from India says the name Joy is of Indian (Sanskrit) origin and means "Victory or happiness".
- According to a user from the United Kingdom, the name Joy means "Happiness and celebration".
- According to a user from Colorado, U.S., the name Joy is of Greek origin and means "Love".
- According to a user from Nigeria, the name Joy is of English origin and means "Deep emotions of pleasure".
- According to a user from Nigeria, the name Joy is of English origin and means "Cheerfulness".
- A submission from Virginia, U.S. says the name Joy means "Joyful and glad in heart" and is of English origin.
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Joy
Senses
- The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; pleasurable feelings or emotions caused by success, good fortune, and the like, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exhilaration of spirits; delight."Her heavenly form beheld, all wished her joy." [Dryden.]"Glides the smooth current of domestic joy." [Johnson.]"Who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame." [Heb. xii. 2. ]"Tears of true joy for his return." [Shak.]" Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a good." [Locke.]
- That which causes joy or happiness."For ye are our glory and joy." [1 Thess. ii. 20.]"A thing of beauty is a joy forever." [Keats.]
- The sign or exhibition of joy; gayety; mirth; merriment; festivity."Such joy made Una, when her knight she found." [Spenser.]"The roofs with joy resound." [Dryden.]synonyms: Gladness; pleasure; delight; happiness; exultation; transport; felicity; ecstasy; rapture; bliss; gayety; mirth; merriment; festivity; hilarity.
Note: ☞ Joy is used in composition, esp. with participles, to from many self-explaining compounds; as, joy-bells, joy-bringing, joy-inspiring, joy-resounding, etc.
Etymology: OE. joye, OF. joye joie goie, F. joie, L. gaudia, pl. of gaudium joy, fr. gaudere to rejoice, to be glad; cf. Gr. gai`ein to rejoice, gay^ros proud. Cf. Gaud Jewel
verb Joy
To rejoice; to be glad; to delight; to exult.
Etymology: OF. joir, F. jouir. See Joy (n.)
verb Joy
Senses
- To give joy to; to congratulate.(Obs)" Joyus of our conquest." [Dryden.]"To joy the friend, or grapple with the foe." [Prior.]
- To gladden; to make joyful; to exhilarate.(Obs)"Neither pleasure's art can joy my spirits." [Shak.]
- To enjoy.(Obs)See Enjoy."Who might have lived and joyed immortal bliss." [Milton.]
Other Dictionary Sources
- Something or someone that provides a source of happiness ("a joy to behold")
- The emotion of great happiness
- Make glad or happy
- Feel happiness or joy
Wiktionary
From the noun joy, first used by Puritans in the 17th century.
- A female given name from English.
- A surname.
Joy was also found in the following language(s): Cebuano and Tagalog
Notable Persons Named Joy
Notable Persons Named Joy
Joy Mangano
Joy Mangano is an entrepreneur and entrepreneurship. She was most prominent from 1989 to present. Joy was born on February 15th, 1956 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Joy Behar
Joy Behar is a comedian, actress, writer, and talk show host. She was most prominent from 1984 to present. Joy was given the name Josephina Victoria Occhiuto on October 7th, 1942 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Joy
Joy is a singing, model (people), singer, and model. Joy was given the name Park Soo-young on September 3rd, 1996 in Dobong District.
Joy Williams
Joy Williams is a pop music, folk rock, and contemporary christian music musician. She plays Piano, Concertina, and Vocals. She was most prominent from 2000 to present. Joy was given the name Joy Elizabeth Williams on November 14th, 1982.
Joy Bryant
Joy Bryant is an actress and actor. She has been prominent since 2001. Joy was born on October 18th, 1974.
Joi Lansing
Joi Lansing was a model, actress, singer, model (people), actor, and singing. Her most notable accomplishments were from 1942 to 1942. Joi was given the name Joy Brown on April 6th, 1928 in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. Joi is also known as Joyce Wassmansdorff. She passed away on August 7th, 1972.
- Joy AdamsonNaturalist
- Joy PhilbinTelevision Personality
- Joy Harmon
- Joy GiovanniWrestler
- AyọSinging
- Joy Harjo
- Joy SenguptaActor
- Joy De VivreMusician
- Joy DenalaneSinger-songwriter
- Joy GoswamiPoet
- Joy CowleyWriter
- Joy FieldingWriter
- Joy MortonDirector of Morton Salt
- Joy LaurenActress
Notable Persons With the Last Name Joy
Notable Persons With the Last Name Joy
Vance Joy
Vance Joy is an indie pop, indie folk, and contemporary r&b musician. He has been prominent since 2013. Vance was given the name James Gabriel Keogh on December 1st, 1987 in Melbourne.
Joy
Joy is a singing, model (people), singer, and model. Joy was given the name Park Soo-young on September 3rd, 1996 in Dobong District.
Bill Joy
Bill Joy is a scientist in the field of computer science. Bill was given the name William Nelson Joy on November 8th, 1954 in Farmington Hills, Michigan, U.S.
Hélène Joy
Hélène Joy is an actress. Her ongoing career started in 1996. Hélène was born in Perth, Australia.
Robert Joy
Robert Joy is an actor. He was most prominent from 1974 to present. Robert was born on August 17th, 1951 in Montreal.
Lady Murdoch Dame Elisabeth Joy
Lady Murdoch Dame Elisabeth Joy was a philanthropist. Lady was given the name Elisabeth Joy Greene on February 8th, 1909 in Melbourne, Australia. She died on December 5th, 2012.
Ethnicity Distribution
| Ethnicity | Joy | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| █ | White | 78.15% | 64.26% |
| █ | African American | 8.41% | 11.96% |
| █ | Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander | 7.75% | 4.85% |
| █ | American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.63% | 0.69% |
| █ | Two or More Ethnicities | 2.27% | 1.76% |
| █ | Hispanic or Latino | 2.80% | 16.26% |
Of Last Name Joy
People with the last name Joy are most frequently White
Entire United States
Fun Facts about the name Joy
| #24 | Names Inspired by Disney |
| #48 | Classic Girl Names |
| #95 | Unique Girl Names |