Find out how popular the first name Jaye has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jaye by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jaye is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 59% of people named Jaye being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10 female babies and 7 male babies born with the name Jaye.

The history of the first name Jaye

The given name Jaye has its origins in the Middle English language, emerging during the medieval period in England around the 13th century. It is derived from the Old French name "Jaye" or "Gai," which in turn comes from the Latin name "Gaius." The Latin name Gaius was a praenomen or personal name that was commonly used in ancient Rome.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jaye can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in England from the year 1275, where a person named "Jaye de Cheltenham" is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 13th century.

In terms of historical references, the name Jaye does not appear to have any direct connections to ancient texts, religious scriptures, or significant historical records. However, its Latin root, Gaius, was a popular Roman name borne by several notable figures in ancient history.

Among the famous individuals who have carried the first name Jaye throughout history, one can mention:

1. Jaye Davidson (born 1968), a British actor and model best known for his role in the 1992 film "The Crying Game," for which he received an Academy Award nomination.

2. Jaye P. Morgan (1931-2022), an American singer and actress who performed in various television shows and films during the 1950s and 1960s.

3. Jaye Muller (born 1977), a South African professional golfer who has won multiple tournaments on the Sunshine Tour and participated in several major championships.

4. Jaye Jacobs (born 1977), an American actress and model who has appeared in various television shows and films, including "The Parker Andersons" and "The Butterfly Effect."

5. Jaye Bartell (born 1960), an American journalist and author who has written several books on topics ranging from true crime to religion and spirituality.

While the name Jaye has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including actors, musicians, athletes, and writers, among others. Despite its medieval origins, the name continues to be used in modern times, albeit with varying spellings and pronunciations.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Jaye was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jaye, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!