← All names

Joss

Boy name · 63 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Joss: 63 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 7 births in 1990.

Joss is a versatile unisex name with several possible origins—most commonly as a short form of Jocelyn (from Old German, meaning ‘little Gaut’) or of Joseph (from Hebrew, meaning ‘God will add’). It can also stand alone, derived from the Cornish word for ‘chief’. Among its most famous bearers are soul singer Joss Stone and filmmaker Joss Whedon, creator of *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*. While no major place is directly named after a Joss, the name shares roots with the French commune Jossigny. A further note: in Scotland, Joss has been used consistently since the 1970s, often chosen for its friendly, modern feel while remaining a subtle nod to traditional names like Josephine.