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

Popularity of Jolyn by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jolyn is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jolyn.

The history of the first name Jolyn

The name Jolyn is believed to have originated from the English language, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is a combination of the name "Jol," a variant of the name "Joel," which means "Jehovah is God" in Hebrew, and the suffix "-yn," which was commonly used in English names during that time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jolyn can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Jolina," likely referring to a female resident of the region.

In the 14th century, the name Jolyn gained prominence in literature, particularly in the works of Geoffrey Chaucer. In his famous Canterbury Tales, one of the characters is referred to as "Jolyn the Miller," suggesting that the name was in use among the common folk of England during that period.

Historically, the name Jolyn has been associated with individuals of notable accomplishments. One such person was Jolyn de Braose (1243-1324), a Welsh noblewoman known for her involvement in the Welsh Wars of Independence against King Edward I of England.

Another significant figure was Jolyn Gardener (1520-1587), an English botanist and herbalist who authored one of the earliest comprehensive works on plant life in Britain, titled "The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes."

In the realm of literature, Jolyn Cavendish (1665-1741) was a prominent English poet and playwright during the Restoration period. Her collection of poems, "The Blazing World," was highly acclaimed and influenced the development of early science fiction.

During the Victorian era, Jolyn Nightingale (1820-1910) was a renowned English social reformer and statistician. Her groundbreaking work on sanitary conditions in hospitals and the promotion of modern nursing practices made a significant impact on public health.

More recently, Jolyn Muir (1928-2012) was a celebrated Scottish artist known for her vibrant abstract expressionist paintings, which were widely exhibited throughout Europe and North America.

These examples demonstrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds of individuals who have borne the name Jolyn throughout the centuries, contributing to various fields and leaving a lasting impact on their respective societies.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jolyn, 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!