Unisex name · peaked 1962

Joey

A diminutive of the male given names Joe and Joseph.

Every Joey since 1915 — 61,402 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.250.50.75118801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#877
among boys
Babies in 2025
420
named Joey
Peak year
1962
1,572 babies
All-time total
61,402
since 1915

The story of Joey

Joey is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #877 in 2025 with 274 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1915, 61,402 American babies have been named Joey — about 88% boys and 12% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1962, when 1,572 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Joey stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Joey year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 146 #1,474 274 #877
2024 164 #1,380 267 #890
2023 167 #1,351 258 #903
2022 161 #1,414 264 #892
2021 178 #1,288 252 #911
2020 153 #1,429 253 #895
2019 132 #1,609 306 #772
2018 151 #1,456 323 #739
2017 146 #1,519 301 #780
2016 154 #1,491 355 #696
2015 95 #2,067 318 #758
2014 119 #1,750 370 #684
2013 73 #2,469 382 #643
2012 83 #2,271 404 #609
2011 90 #2,133 408 #605
2010 102 #1,969 405 #612
2009 99 #2,067 408 #616
2008 111 #1,907 448 #576
2007 135 #1,649 470 #547
2006 127 #1,666 474 #532
2005 146 #1,457 482 #510
2004 121 #1,609 508 #489
2003 133 #1,470 496 #494
2002 92 #1,924 448 #509
2001 95 #1,854 435 #519
2000 80 #2,066 481 #485
1995 67 #2,036 507 #450
1990 44 #2,666 685 #352
1985 48 #2,190 763 #273
1980 126 #1,100 1,154 #212
1975 224 #673 840 #249
1970 198 #745 1,137 #217
1965 26 #2,371 1,120 #214
1960 23 #2,540 1,206 #229
1955 26 #2,137 693 #271
1950 27 #1,853 188 #491
1945 20 #1,907 120 #546
1940 5 #4,681 65 #768
1935 9 #3,037 35 #1,113
1930 5 #4,887 24 #1,515
1925 8 #3,853 11 #2,672
1920 5 #4,632
1915 6 #3,624
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Joey

  1. Joey Bishop Presenter · 1918–2007
  2. Joey King Actor · b. 1999
  3. Joey Barton Soccer player · b. 1982
  4. Joey Lauren Adams Actor · b. 1968
  5. Joey Santiago Musician · b. 1965

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Joey mean?

A diminutive of the male given names Joe and Joseph.

How popular is the name Joey in 2025?

Joey ranked #877 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 274 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Joey?

61,402 babies have been named Joey in the United States since 1915, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Joey most popular?

Joey peaked in 1962, when 1,572 newborns received the name.

Is Joey a boy or girl name?

Joey is used for both: about 12% of babies named Joey have been girls and 88% boys.

Is the name Joey rising or falling?

Joey is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Joey?

Well-known people named Joey include Joey Bishop (presenter), Joey King (actor), Joey Barton (soccer player).

Names like Joey

Compare Joey with similar names →