"joy, happiness"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
Joi
Does Joi flow with your last name?
Pure happiness in three letters — a virtue name with a futuristic edge
American
English
Caribbean
Playful
Minimalist
Bold
Modern
Spiritual
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Names Like Joi
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"delight, gladness"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
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Things to Know About This Name
- The Joi spelling is associated with the AI companion in Blade Runner 2049 (2017) — this is largely a neutral/positive association for sci-fi fans
The Story of Joi
Joi is a variant spelling of Joy, from the Old French joie, which came from the Latin gaudium meaning joy, happiness, delight. Joy has been used as a given name in English since the Middle Ages, typically inspired by the Fruit of the Spirit in Christian scripture (Galatians 5:22). The Joi spelling adds a distinctly modern, stylized touch and gained pop culture prominence through the AI character Joi in Blade Runner 2049.
Joy (and its Joi variant) benefits from the broader trend toward virtue names and short, punchy single-syllable names for girls. Joy was a top-100 name in the US mid-20th century. The Joi spelling is rarer and more modern, appealing to parents who love the Joy meaning but want a more distinctive written form.
Joy is one of the Fruits of the Spirit in the Christian New Testament, making it a quietly spiritual name with broad appeal. The character Joi in Blade Runner 2049 (played by Ana de Armas) gave the spelling a futuristic, cutting-edge association. Inside Out (Pixar) also features Joy as the optimistic lead emotion, connecting the name to childhood positivity.
Historical Record
Joi first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 6,015 babies have been named Joi in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Joi is past its peak , currently ranked #2,591 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Joy is listed as a Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 of the Christian Bible
- The character Joi in Blade Runner 2049 (2017) was played by Ana de Armas and became one of the most discussed AI characters in cinema
- Pixar Inside Out (2015) features Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler) as the primary emotion driving the film
Joi in Other Languages
Latin
Gaudium
French
Joie
Italian
Gioia
Spanish
Alegría / Joy
Portuguese
Alegria / Joy
Popularity Over Time
#2,591
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1981
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Joi
J
J
Joy Division
Musician
Influential British post-punk band (1976–1980) whose name, while dark in origin, carries the word Joy — significant in p...
Influential British post-punk band (1976–1980) whose name, while dark in origin, carries the word Joy — significant in pop culture
J
Joy (Joi in Blade Runner 2049) Fictional
Other
The AI companion character in the 2017 film Blade Runner 2049, played by Ana de Armas, sparking cultural conversation ab...
The AI companion character in the 2017 film Blade Runner 2049, played by Ana de Armas, sparking cultural conversation about AI and identity
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Compare Joi with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #2,591
- Total SSA Count
- 68
- Cultural Origins
- American English Caribbean
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Joi
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Greek mythology origin
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English/Latin Scoti origin
"from Scotland"
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Iylah
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Turkish origin
"moonlight (from Ayla)"
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French origin
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Save Your Name Card
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Frequently Asked Questions About Joi
What does the name Joi mean?
"joy, happiness" (from Old French). "delight, gladness" (from Latin). Joi is a variant spelling of Joy, from the Old French joie, which came from the Latin gaudium meaning joy, happiness, delight. Joy has been used as a given name in English since the Middle Ages, typically inspired by the Fruit of the Spirit in Christian scripture (Galatians 5:22). The Joi spelling adds a distinctly modern, stylized touch and gained pop culture prominence through the AI character Joi in Blade Runner 2049.
What is the origin of the name Joi?
Joi has Old French, Latin, American, English, and Caribbean origins. In Old French, it means "joy, happiness". In Latin, it means "delight, gladness".
Is Joi a boy or girl name?
Joi is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Joi?
Joi is currently ranked #2591 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Joi?
Popular middle name pairings include Joi Marie, Joi Elise, Joi Renee, Joi Nicole, Joi Louise, and Joi Celeste.
What are good sibling names for Joi?
Names that pair well with Joi as siblings include Bliss, Hope, Faith, Grace, Chance, Sage, and Zeal.
How many syllables does Joi have?
Joi has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Joi a common or rare name?
Joi is an uncommon name, ranked #2591 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Joi?
Are there other spellings for Joi?
Related spellings include Joie.
About the Name Joi
Joi is a girl name with American, English, and Caribbean origins . The name means "joy, happiness" in Old French .
Joi is currently ranked #2,591 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Joi has 1 syllable, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Joi include Joie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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