"a magical charm or spell; also a curse"
Origin: English from Greek
Language: English
Jinx
Pronunciation: [ j-IHNGKS ]
Does Jinx flow with your last name?
A charmed bird turned playground magic — bold and unforgettable
English
American
Playful
Edgy
Nickname Like
Whimsical
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Jinx
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"the wryneck bird used in ancient magic"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Jinx
See all →What the Jinx report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Jinx 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 Jinx
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Jinx head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- jinx means bad luck — some parents worry about the connotation
The Story of Jinx
Jinx derives from 'jynx,' the name of a bird (the wryneck, Jynx torquilla) used in ancient Greek and Roman magical practices. Augurs and witches used the wryneck's peculiar neck-twisting behavior in divination and love charms — making 'jynx' a word for a magical charm or spell. Over time in American English, the meaning shifted from 'magical charm' to 'a curse or hex that brings bad luck.' In the 20th century, 'jinx' became a playground word for coincidences and superstitions. The transformation from magical bird to playground game is one of etymology's most charming journeys.
Jinx is a rare given name, occupying that particular category of names that feel like nicknames permanently elevated to official status — alongside names like Ace, Kit, Dash, and Rogue. It has appeared as a character name in popular media, from the Bond girl Jinx in Die Another Day to the beloved character Jinx in the animated series Arcane. These cultural references have made it feel simultaneously playful and cool.
In American folk superstition, a 'jinx' was originally a specific evil charm — the term is cited in American English as early as 1911. The wryneck bird behind the name was actually used in European and classical magic traditions for love potions and fertility charms. Today, the word carries a playful rather than genuinely ominous quality in popular culture — jinxing someone is more childhood game than genuine threat.
Historical Record
Jinx first appeared in US Social Security records in 2023.
Over 11 babies have been named Jinx in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jinx is a new entry on the US charts , currently ranked #25,116 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The word jinx comes from the wryneck bird, which was used in ancient Greek love magic and divination
- In baseball, calling attention to a pitcher's no-hitter is considered a classic jinx — superstition forbids mentioning it
- Jinx is the name of a beloved character in Arcane (the League of Legends animated series), voiced by Ella Purnell
Jinx in Other Languages
Greek
Jynx (ίυγξ)
Latin
Jynx torquilla
French
Torcol (wryneck bird)
German
Wendehals
Italian
Torcicollo
Popularity Over Time
#25,116
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Jinx
J
Jinx (Arcane) Fictional
Entertainer
The unpredictable, explosive character in the League of Legends animated series Arcane on Netflix, voiced by Ella Purnel...
The unpredictable, explosive character in the League of Legends animated series Arcane on Netflix, voiced by Ella Purnell
J
Jinx (James Bond) Fictional
Other
The NSA agent played by Halle Berry in the 2002 Bond film Die Another Day
J
Jinx the cat (Meet the Parents) Fictional
Other
The Himalayan cat belonging to Robert De Niro's character in the Meet the Parents film series
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Rejan
Boy
"king, ruler"
#25,038
Seville
Boy
"From the city of Seville in southern Spain"
#25,314
Kaimeir
Boy
"one who illuminates"
#25,195
Whiskey
Boy
"Water of life; the distilled spirit drink"
#24,971
Kaizan
Boy
"Inspired by the Japanese Kaizen philosophy meaning '..."
#25,198
Compare Jinx with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #25,116
- Total SSA Count
- 6
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jinx
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Jinx
Phonetic neighbors that share Jinx's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Jinx fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Jinx is also used as a girl name, ranked #19348.
View Jinx as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Jinx →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 Jinx with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Jinx
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Jinx and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Jinx 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 →
Rejan
Boy
Sanskrit origin
"king, ruler"
#25,038 in US
Seville
Boy
Spanish/Latin origin
"From the city of Seville in southern ..."
#25,314 in US
Kaimeir
Boy
Hebrew origin
"one who illuminates"
#25,195 in US
Whiskey
Boy
Gaelic 'uisce beatha' origin
"Water of life; the distilled spirit d..."
#24,971 in US
Kaizan
Boy
Japanese origin
"Inspired by the Japanese Kaizen philo..."
#25,198 in US
Ezlan
Boy
Modern English origin
"modern invented name combining elemen..."
#25,165 in US
Bandit
Boy
Italian origin
"outlaw, one who has been banned"
#25,144 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Jinx's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jinx
What does the name Jinx mean?
"a magical charm or spell; also a curse" (from English from Greek). "the wryneck bird used in ancient magic" (from Greek). Jinx derives from 'jynx,' the name of a bird (the wryneck, Jynx torquilla) used in ancient Greek and Roman magical practices. Augurs and witches used the wryneck's peculiar neck-twisting behavior in divination and love charms — making 'jynx' a word for a magical charm or spell. Over time in American English, the meaning shifted from 'magical charm' to 'a curse or hex that brings bad luck.' In the 20th century, 'jinx' became a playground word for coincidences and superstitions. The transformation from magical bird to playground game is one of etymology's most charming journeys.
What is the origin of the name Jinx?
Jinx has English from Greek, Greek, English, and American origins. In English from Greek, it means "a magical charm or spell; also a curse". In Greek, it means "the wryneck bird used in ancient magic".
Is Jinx a boy or girl name?
Jinx is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #25116. As a girl name, it is ranked #19348. Jinx is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Jinx?
Jinx is pronounced j-IHNGKS.
How popular is the name Jinx?
Jinx is currently ranked #25116 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Jinx?
Popular middle name pairings include Jinx River, Jinx Blue, Jinx Stone, Jinx Fox, and Jinx Wilder.
What are good sibling names for Jinx?
Names that pair well with Jinx as siblings include Rogue, Scout, Loki, Remy, and Dash.
How many syllables does Jinx have?
Jinx has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jinx a common or rare name?
Jinx is an uncommon name, ranked #25116 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Jinx?
Are there other spellings for Jinx?
Related spellings include Jin.
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Jinx
Jinx is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "a magical charm or spell; also a curse" in English from Greek .
Is Jinx a boy or girl name? Jinx is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #25,116 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #19,348. Jinx is more commonly used as a girl name.
Jinx is currently ranked #25,116 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jinx has 1 syllable and is pronounced j-IHNGKS, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Jinx include Jin . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
English from Greek Names
Browse all names with this origin
J
Names Starting with J
More boy names like Jinx
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
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