"The joy of the LORD is your strength."
Biblical Name · English/Latin Origin
Joy Meaning in the Bible
Joy
girl
Joy means "Great happiness; Delight", a girl's name of English/Latin origin. Joy appears in the King James Bible, and Nehemiah 8:10 is the passage most often tied to it. Joy is the strength of the believer — the deep, unshakeable gladness found in God's presence.
Is Joy in the Bible?
Yes — Joy appears in the King James Bible, including Nehemiah 8:10.
Pronunciation:/JOY/
OriginEnglish/Latin
MeaningGreat happiness; Delight
What does Joy mean?
Joy is a girl name of English/Latin origin meaning "Great happiness; Delight". Joy is a foundational concept in Scripture — listed as a fruit of the Spirit and distinct from mere happiness. Biblical joy is rooted not in circumstances but in the unchanging character of God.
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What does Joy mean in the Bible?
Joy means "Great happiness; Delight" and is a name of English/Latin origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Joy is a foundational concept in Scripture — listed as a fruit of the Spirit and distinct from mere happiness. Biblical joy is rooted not in circumstances but in the unchanging character of God. It is a deep, settled confidence that God is good, present, and sovereign.
Where does Joy appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Joy is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Nehemiah 8:10. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
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Which books of the Bible mention Joy?
Joy is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Joy?
Joy is the strength of the believer — the deep, unshakeable gladness found in God's presence.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Verses About
Bible Verses About Delighting in the Lord
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Commentary
Psalm 40:8 Commentary
In-depth study • Delighting in God's Will
Commentary
Proverbs 29:17 Commentary
In-depth study • Loving Correction Yields Lasting Joy
Word Meaning
Joy (Simchah) (שִׂמְחָה (simchah))
Deep gladness and celebration — the delight that springs from God's presence and works.
Strong's
Strong's H8057 — Joy (Simchah)
שִׂמְחָה (simchah) • Deep gladness and celebration — the delight that springs from God's presence and works.
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What names are related to Joy?
Names like Joy
Other English/Latin biblical names that share the spirit of "Great happiness; Delight" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Faith
"Trust; Belief; Confidence in God"
girl
Mercy
"Compassion; Clemency; Grace"
girl
Honor
"Honor; Dignity; Respect"
girl
Mercy
"Compassion; Forgiveness"
girl
Patience
"Endurance; Suffering with calm"
girl
Patience
"Endurance; Long-suffering"
girl
Temperance
"Moderation; Self-control"
girl
Temperance
"Moderation; Self-control; Restraint"
girl
Names that pair well with Joy
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Joy
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Joy name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Joy appears in the King James Bible, including Nehemiah 8:10.
Joy means "Great happiness; Delight." It is an English/Latin name. The King James Bible uses it in Nehemiah 8:10, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
English/Latin. Joy comes into English from English/Latin and carries the sense "Great happiness; Delight." It appears in the King James Bible, including Nehemiah 8:10.
Common questions about the name Joy
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Joy?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Joy?
You can read every verse where Joy appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.