"member of the Gauls tribe"
Joslyn
Pronunciation: [ j-AWSL-ihn ]
A medieval name with timeless feminine grace
Meaning & Origin
"little Goth"
The Story of Joslyn
Joslyn is a variant spelling of Jocelyn, which traces back to the Old French 'Josselin' and ultimately to the Germanic personal name 'Gautzelin,' referring to a member of the Gauts or Goths tribe. The name arrived in England with the Normans after 1066 and became fashionable in medieval aristocratic circles before fading and reviving in the 20th century.
Jocelyn and its variant Joslyn saw resurgence in the 1980s-2000s as parents sought names that felt both classic and fresh. The -lyn ending provided a soft, feminine feel that connected it to popular names like Carolyn and Marilyn.
In medieval England, Joscelin of Louvain was a notable historical figure, and several saints bore the name. In French culture, the name maintains an aristocratic association. The Joslyn variant is distinctly American, reflecting the tradition of phonetic respelling.
Fun Facts
- The name Jocelyn was in the top 100 US names for girls throughout the 1990s and 2000s
- There are at least eight variant spellings of this name in common use in the US
Joslyn in Other Languages
Famous People Named Joslyn
Joslyn Fox
Entertainer
1984
American drag performer and contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race
Jocelyn Bell Burnell
Scientist
1943
British astrophysicist who discovered pulsars as a graduate student in 1967
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,255
- Total SSA Count
- 83
- Cultural Origins
- English American French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Joslyn is also used as a boy name, ranked #15306.
View Joslyn as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Joslyn
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About the Name Joslyn
Joslyn is a girl name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "member of the Gauls tribe" in Germanic .
Is Joslyn a boy or girl name? Joslyn is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,255 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #15,306. Joslyn is more commonly used as a girl name.
Joslyn is currently ranked #2,255 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Joslyn has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-AWSL-ihn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Joslyn include Jos, Joss, and Josie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Joslyn include Joslynn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.