Jody is a gender-neutral given name of English origin. It was first introduced as a pet form of the feminine name Josephine in the early 20th century. The name Josephine itself comes from the Latin "Josephina," which means "God will increase" or "God shall add." Therefore, Jody can be considered a diminutive form of Josephine with the same meaning.
In literature, the name Jody gained popularity after it was used as the protagonist's name in the 1930s novel "Jody" by Mabel Robinson. The book became popular among young readers and helped to popularize the name.
The name Jody has also been used interchangeably with the name Judy, which is a diminutive form of Judith. Both names share similar meanings related to praise or fame.
Overall, Jody is a unique and versatile name that can be given to both boys and girls. Its origin and meaning make it a appealing choice for parents looking for a name with a strong connection to its roots.
The name Jody has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century, particularly from the 1950s onwards. Between 1910 and 1940, there were fewer than 30 births per year with the name Jody. However, starting in 1946, the number of births began to rise steadily.
In 1958, a significant jump occurred, with 662 babies named Jody born that year. This trend continued into the 1960s and 1970s, reaching a peak in 1971 with 1704 births. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, the popularity of the name remained high, with over 500 babies named Jody born each year.
However, starting in the mid-1980s, the number of births began to decline. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, fewer than 100 babies were being named Jody per year. This trend has continued into the 2010s and 2020s, with the most recent data showing only 50 births in 2023.
In total, since 1910, there have been 31,467 babies named Jody born in the United States. While the name's popularity has fluctuated over the years, it remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents looking for something different.