Revision History

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1/21/2022, 9:40 PM Mike C update #111
6/13/2019, 12:17 AM Mike C update #104
2/12/2007, 1:03 AM Mike C earliest recorded revision

Gender Feminine & Masculine
Usage English
Pronounced Pron. JOIS

Meaning & History

From the medieval masculine name Josse, which was derived from the earlier Iudocus, which was a Latinized form of the Breton name Judoc meaning "lord". The name belonged to a 7th-century Breton saint, and Breton settlers introduced it to England after the Norman Conquest. It became rare after the 14th century, but was later revived as a feminine name, perhaps because of similarity to the Middle English word joise "to rejoice". This given name also became a surname, as in the case of the Irish novelist James Joyce (1882-1941).