WeeNames Scotland’s favourite name finder

← All names

Jocelyn

Girl name · 199 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Jocelyn: 199 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 10 births in 1981.

From its Old German roots, Jocelyn began as a masculine name derived from *Gautselin*, a diminutive of names like Gottfried, meaning “God’s peace.” Over centuries, it crossed into English as a feminine given name, gaining particular popularity in Scotland during the late 20th century. The name is borne by Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the astrophysicist who discovered pulsars, and the soul singer Jocelyn Brown. As a surname, it has given its name to Jocelyn, Alabama, though no direct Scottish place connection exists. A notable variant is Jocelyne, common in French-speaking regions, while the spelling Jocelin also appears historically. Today, Jocelyn remains a graceful, versatile choice, equally at home in modern Scotland and beyond.

Girl 39 of 52 years

Peak year
198110 babies
Latest (2020)
#7653 babies
Total births
199since 1974
5-year trend
▲ 12%vs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 1981 · 10
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).