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

Popularity of Joey by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Joey is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 84% of people named Joey being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 253 male babies and 165 female babies born with the name Joey.

The history of the first name Joey

The name Joey is an English diminutive form of the name Joseph, which has its origins in the Hebrew name Yosef. The name Yosef is derived from the Hebrew roots yasaf, meaning "to add" or "to increase," and Yahweh, the name of God. It is believed to have been in use since ancient times, with one of the earliest recorded instances being in the Book of Genesis, where Yosef is the name of the son of Jacob and Rachel.

The name Joseph gained widespread popularity due to its significance in the Christian tradition, as it was the name of Joseph, the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. This contributed to its widespread use throughout Europe and the English-speaking world.

Joey as a diminutive form of Joseph emerged in the Middle Ages, possibly as early as the 13th century. It was commonly used as a friendly or familiar form of the name Joseph, particularly in informal settings or among family and close friends.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Joey was Joey Grimaldi, an English actor and comedian who lived from 1778 to 1837. He was a prominent figure in the early development of pantomime and is considered a pioneer of modern clowning.

In literature, the name Joey is famously associated with the character Joey Bagstock from Charles Dickens' novel "Dombey and Son," published in 1848. Bagstock is a boisterous and bombastic character, known for his exaggerated military manner and his catchphrase "Joe Bagstock, sir!"

Another notable historical figure with the name Joey was Joey Smallwood, a Canadian politician who served as the first Premier of Newfoundland from 1949 to 1972. He played a pivotal role in Newfoundland's transition from a British colony to a province of Canada.

In the world of sports, Joey Maxim, an American professional boxer who held the light heavyweight world championship from 1950 to 1952, was a prominent figure. He was born in 1922 and passed away in 2001.

Joey Ramone, born Jeffrey Ross Hyman in 1951, was the lead singer and songwriter for the influential punk rock band the Ramones. He was known for his distinctive vocals and rebellious attitude, and is considered an icon of the punk rock movement. Ramone passed away in 2001.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Joey, illustrating its enduring popularity and cultural significance across various fields and eras.

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 Joey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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