"God will add, God will increase"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Joey
Pronunciation: [ j-OH-ee ]
Does Joey flow with your last name?
The friendliest name in the room, always good for a laugh
American
English
Australian
Playful
Friendly
Classic
Casual
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Joey
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Joey
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"may God give increase"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Joey
See all →What the Joey report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Joey the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Joey
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Joey head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Joey actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Joey
Joey is a diminutive of Joseph, a Hebrew name from 'Yosef,' meaning 'God will add' or 'God will increase.' In the Bible, Joseph was the beloved eleventh son of the patriarch Jacob, sold into slavery by his brothers but rising to become a powerful leader in Egypt. Joey developed as an affectionate pet form primarily in English-speaking countries. In Australian English, 'joey' is also the word for a baby kangaroo, giving the name additional cultural layers Down Under.
Joey gained enduring cultural prominence through beloved TV characters — most notably Joey Tribbiani on 'Friends' (1994-2004), whose warmth, humor, and loyal personality made the name synonymous with good-natured charm. Joey Gladstone on 'Full House' also reinforced this image.
In Australia, Joey carries the delightful double meaning of baby kangaroo, making it especially endearing. The name's friendly, unpretentious quality has kept it popular across generations and social circles.
Historical Record
Joey first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 51,821 babies have been named Joey in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Joey is past its peak , currently ranked #890 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- 'Joey' is Australian slang for a baby kangaroo
- Joey Tribbiani on Friends inspired a generation of parents despite the character's infamous lack of intelligence
Joey in Other Languages
French
Joseph
German
Josef
Hebrew
יוסף
Italian
Giuseppe
Spanish
José
Popularity Over Time
#890
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1976
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Joey
J
Joey Chestnut
Athlete
1983
American competitive eater, 16-time winner of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
J
Joey Ramone
Musician
1951
Born Jeffrey Hyman, lead singer of the Ramones and pioneer of American punk rock
J
Joey Tribbiani Fictional
Actor
Lovable, food-obsessed aspiring actor in the TV sitcom Friends, played by Matt LeBlanc
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #890
- Total SSA Count
- 266
- Cultural Origins
- American English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Joe
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Joey
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Joey fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Joey is also used as a girl name, ranked #1375.
View Joey as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Joey →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Joey with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Joey
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Joey and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Joey sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Truce
Boy
Middle English origin
"agreement to stop fighting, temporary..."
#989 in US
Joe
Boy
Biblical Hebrew origin
"God shall add (another son)"
#883 in US
Julien
Boy
Roman origin
"of the Julian family"
#702 in US
Chandler
Boy
Old French origin
"candle maker or seller"
#739 in US
Jericho
Boy
Hebrew origin
"city of the moon"
#905 in US
Ira
Boy
Hebrew origin
"city of God (alternate interpretation)"
#978 in US
Stanley
Boy
Old English origin
"stony meadow"
#877 in US
Darwin
Boy
Old English origin
"beloved companion"
#841 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Joey's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joey
What does the name Joey mean?
"God will add, God will increase" (from Hebrew). "may God give increase" (from Hebrew). Joey is a diminutive of Joseph, a Hebrew name from 'Yosef,' meaning 'God will add' or 'God will increase.' In the Bible, Joseph was the beloved eleventh son of the patriarch Jacob, sold into slavery by his brothers but rising to become a powerful leader in Egypt. Joey developed as an affectionate pet form primarily in English-speaking countries. In Australian English, 'joey' is also the word for a baby kangaroo, giving the name additional cultural layers Down Under.
What is the origin of the name Joey?
Joey has Hebrew, American, English, and Australian origins. In Hebrew, it means "God will add, God will increase". In Hebrew, it means "may God give increase".
Is Joey a boy or girl name?
Joey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #890. As a girl name, it is ranked #1375. Joey is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Joey?
Joey is pronounced j-OH-ee.
How popular is the name Joey?
Joey is currently ranked #890 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Joey?
Common nicknames for Joey include Joe.
What are good middle names for Joey?
Popular middle name pairings include Joey James, Joey Robert, Joey Thomas, Joey Alexander, Joey Michael, Joey Paul, and Joey Wayne.
What are good sibling names for Joey?
Names that pair well with Joey as siblings include Frankie, Tommy, Billie, Stevie, Bobby, Lily, and Molly.
How many syllables does Joey have?
Joey has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Joey a common or rare name?
Joey is moderately common, ranked #890 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Joey?
About the Name Joey
Joey is a boy name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "God will add, God will increase" in Hebrew .
Is Joey a boy or girl name? Joey is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #890 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,375. Joey is more commonly used as a boy name.
Joey is currently ranked #890 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Joey has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-OH-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Joey include Joe. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Joey include Joel, Joe, Joesiah, Joell . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
J
Names Starting with J
More boy names like Joey
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis