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

Popularity of Joslyn by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Joslyn is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Joslyn being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 104 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Joslyn.

The history of the first name Joslyn

The name Joslyn has its roots in the Old English and Old French languages, originating in the Middle Ages. It is a feminine form of the male name Joseph, which is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "he will add" or "he will increase."

The name Joslyn first appeared in England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when the Norman French introduced their version of the name Joseline to the region. Over time, this spelling evolved into various forms, including Joslyn, Joslyne, and Joseline.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Joslyn can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. In this document, a landowner named Joselyn is mentioned, indicating the name's presence in the region at that time.

In the 13th century, Joslyn appeared in the religious text "The Life of St. Margaret of Antioch," where a character named Joslyn was referenced. This early literary mention further solidified the name's place in English culture and literature.

Notable historical figures who bore the name Joslyn include Joslyn of Edingley, a 13th-century English noblewoman who was a benefactor to religious institutions. Another famous bearer of the name was Joslyn Lay, a 15th-century English poet and author known for her work "The Prophecy of Joslyn."

In the 16th century, Joslyn Pearce, an English merchant and explorer, gained recognition for her travels to the New World and her documentation of the indigenous peoples she encountered. Additionally, Joslyn Carr, a 17th-century English Puritan leader, played a significant role in the establishment of religious communities in the American colonies.

During the 18th century, Joslyn Hampden, an English aristocrat and philanthropist, was renowned for her charitable works and advocacy for social reform. Joslyn Elliot, a Scottish writer and poet born in 1796, also contributed to the literary landscape of her time with her published works.

Throughout history, the name Joslyn has carried a sense of elegance, grace, and refinement, reflecting its origins in the noble and literary circles of medieval England and France.

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

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