Joy

See also joy

English

Etymology

From the noun joy, first used by Puritans in the 17th century.

Pronunciation

• enPR: joi, IPA: /dʒɔɪ/, X-SAMPA: /dZOI/

Proper noun

Joy

1. A female given name.
   • 1789, William Blake, Infant Joy:

     "I have no name: / I am but two days old." / What shall I call thee? / "I happy am, / Joy is my name." / Sweet joy befall thee!

   • 1857, Dinah Craik, John Halifax, Gentleman, Chapter XXI:

     She was named Muriel — after the rather peculiar name of John's mother. Her own mother would have it so; only wishing out of her full heart, happy one! that there should be a slight alteration made in the second name. Therefore the baby was called Muriel Joy — Muriel Joy Halifax.

Translations

female given name

• Italian: Gioia (it)