joss

Joss is a unisex given name used in English-speaking countries, often as a diminutive of Joseph or Josette, but it can also be a standalone name. It exists as a surname in some cases and has broader cultural usage beyond a personal name.

In historical English and Western usage, joss also referred to a deity or idol in some East Asian religious contexts. The term appears in phrases such as joss stick, joss paper, and joss house, and has influenced English-language writing about temples and religious practice. Today the term is largely confined to historical or cultural discussions and is often considered archaic or ethnically specific.

Notable people with the name include Joss Stone (born 1987), English singer; Joss Whedon (born 1964), American writer, director, and producer; and Joss Ackland (born 1928), English actor.

In addition to people, the spelling Joss appears in cultural terms such as joss sticks (incense used in temples) and joss paper, which are part of traditional East Asian religious practices encountered in the diaspora.