18 Kids And Counting premiered on TLC on January 27, 2009. The patriarch and matriarch of this large - and still growing - group are former high school sweethearts, Jim Bob and Michelle. With values rooted in their strong personal faith, Jim Bob and Michelle firmly believe that every child is a gift to be cherished. After more than 20 years of marriage, the couple has received 18 gifts - ten boys, eight girls. Each child's name begins with a "J" - Joshua, Jana, John-David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jeremiah, Jedidiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer, and baby Jordyn-Grace Makiya Duggar.