Jocelyn

The first name Jocelyn, which can be used for both men and women, has its roots in the Old French Joscelin and traces back to the Germanic name Gautzelin. This consists of the tribal name Gaut (Goth) and a diminutive suffix. Thus, Jocelyn means 'the Goth.'

What does the name Jocelyn mean?

Jocelyn is a gender-neutral name derived from the Old French Joscelin, which traces back to the Germanic name Gautzelin. This name combines the Germanic tribal name Gaut (Goth) with a diminutive suffix. During the Middle Ages, the male form Joscelin came to England through the Normans, where Jocelyn gained popularity as a predominantly female first name in the 20th century. In France, Jocelyn is still used as a male first name today. Notable bearers include the American singer Jocelyn Brown and actress Jocelyn Towne. The name has numerous variants, including Jocelin, Joceline, Jocelyne, Jocelynn, Josceline, Joselien, Joselin, Joselina, Joseline, Joselyn, Joslin, Josline, Joslyn, Josselin, Josseline, and Josslyn, as well as the short forms Jocie and Jocy.

Where does the name Jocelyn come from?

The name Jocelyn has both female and male origins in the Old French and Germanic linguistic areas and means 'the Goth.' The etymology can be traced back to Gaut (Goth) in Old French. Languages: American English, French.

How do you pronounce Jocelyn?

The sound and pronunciation of the name Jocelyn are soft and smooth, consisting of two to three syllables. The pronunciation 'Joss-lin' [ˈdʒɔslɪn] begins with a lively voiced 'J' sound, giving the name a dynamic touch. The closed final syllable provides a stable overall sound. Jocelyn thus conveys a modern and friendly impression, starting dynamically and gently fading away.

Popularity

In Germany, Jocelyn is among the sought-after first names. The name currently ranks 2,723rd on the list of the most common female baby names. Its best ranking was achieved in 2008 at 534th place. Over the last ten years, Jocelyn has been chosen as a first name about 70 times, placing it 3,061st in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 2,445th.

Nicknames & pet names

Jo / Joce / Jocy / Josi / Joss / Jossi / Joy / Joyce / Lyn

Similar first names

Famous people

• Cara Jocelyn Delevingne (British model)
• Harold Jocelyn Buxton (British bishop)
• Jocelyn (character from the movie 'A Knight's Tale')
• Jocelyn Adome (Beninese footballer)
• Jocelyn Ahoueya (footballer from Benin)
• Jocelyn Angloma (French footballer)
• Jocelyn B. Smith (American jazz musician)
• Jocelyn Blanchard (former French footballer)
• Jocelyn Brando (actress from the USA)
• Jocelyn Brooke (English writer)
• Jocelyn Burton (English artist)
• Jocelyn Butler (character from the book 'Dublin Street - Dangerous Desire')
• Jocelyn Castillo (diver from Venezuela)
• Jocelyn de Brakelond (British historian)
• Jocelyn Delecour (French athlete)
• Jocelyn Ducloux (French footballer)
• Jocelyn Fray (character from Cassandra Clare's novels)
• Jocelyn Frenette (Canadian footballer)
• Jocelyn Gauvreau (ice hockey player from Canada)
• Jocelyn Golden (American writer)