Given name & surname
Jody
“woman from Judea”·“God will add”·“jewess”
Jody is a form of Judith. Interpretations include “jewess” and “woman from Judea” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions. Jody is a form of Joseph. Yosef means “God shall add,” traditionally understood as a hope that God would add another son to the family.
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Jody carries the interpretation “woman from Judea.” In English use, Jody carries the interpretation “God will add.” Jody is a form of Judith. Interpretations include “jewess” and “woman from Judea” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions. Jody is a form of Joseph. Yosef means “God shall add,” traditionally understood as a hope that God would add another son to the family. In English use, Jody has a related form in Judy. In Hebrew use, Judy carries the interpretation “woman from Judea.”
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Where it comes from
A possible origin is English, although the derivation remains uncertain.
How it developed
Jody is used as a form of Judith. Jody is used as a form of Joseph. Jody is a form of Joseph. The shared background comes through Joseph: The English and French name continues the biblical Hebrew form Yosef. The idea of adding is part of the name’s original family context, rather than a later personality interpretation.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1910. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Jody is a form of Joseph. The history of Joseph gives this family its wider story. In Genesis, Joseph is Jacob’s son who is taken to Egypt and later reconciled with his brothers. In the New Testament, Joseph is also the husband of Mary, giving the name a distinct place in Christian tradition.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Jody through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 87,407
- 31,562 boys · 55,845 girls
- Most popular year
- 1970
- 3,700 babies
- 2025
- 56
- #3,057 for boys · #6,968 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −2%
- Steady
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 70% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 40 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 3,057 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 0.5% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 1,704 in 1971. It also appeared in 16 birth records for girls in 2025. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (7). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 72,569 as a first name in 2020; 181 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Jody’s family of names
In English usage, Jody is a diminutive of Judith. In English usage, Jody shares an earlier linguistic root with Janet. Jody is a form of Joseph.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 8
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 23
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
- Josephbase name
- Jessiedoublet · English
- Jennadoublet · English
- Janelledoublet · English
- Jennydoublet · English
- Ivankadoublet · English
- Jeanettedoublet · English
- Joaniedoublet · English
Show 15 moreShow fewer
- Juanitadoublet · English
- Janetdoublet · English
- Vannadoublet · English
- Jandoublet · English
- Janeydoublet · English
- Jodoublet · English
- Jeannettedoublet · English
- Janinedoublet · English
- Jeaniedoublet · English
- Sineaddoublet · English
- Jeanninedoublet · English
- Shanaedoublet · English
- Jendoublet · English
- JitkaCzech
- Jodocusequivalent
See also 3
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Jody
- Jody WilliamsAmerican teacher and aid workerborn 1950
- Jody ScheckterSouth African racecar driverborn 1950
- Jody LukokiDutch footballer (1992–2022)
- Jody WatleyAmerican singerborn 1959
- Jody CraddockEnglish footballer (born 1975)
- Jody HiceAmerican politician and radio host (born 1960)
- Jody Wilson-RaybouldCanadian politician, served as Minister of Justice, Attorney General, and Minister of Veterans Affairsborn 1971
- Jody FebruarySouth African association football playerborn 1996
- Jody AldersonAmerican swimmer, Olympic bronze medalist1935–2021
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Jody, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Joey
“God shall add” · “God will add”
65% boys · 35% girls
Tory
“victorious woman; winner; conqueror” · “one who pays homage to Ireland”
58% boys · 42% girls
Stoney
“as solid as a stone”
67% boys · 33% girls
Kerry
“having black hair”
71% boys · 29% girls
Dusty
“a brave fighter; from a dusty place”
71% boys · 29% girls
Justice
“one who upholds moral rightness and fairness”
48% boys · 52% girls
Jona
“dove” · “God has given”
63% boys · 37% girls
Tobi
“God is good” · “The Lord is good”
60% boys · 40% girls