Jo Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationJOE / dʒoʊHebrew; English
Meaning
Hebrew: God is gracious; English: diminutive of Joseph
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jo has roots in Hebrew, where it is derived from the name Joseph, meaning 'God is gracious.' In English-speaking countries, Jo is often used as a diminutive form of Joseph or Joanna. It has been a popular name for both boys and girls, reflecting its versatility. The name has appeared in various cultural contexts, including literature and popular media.
Trend Summary
The name Jo has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., often peaking in the mid-20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Joe
- Joey
International Variants
- José (Spanish)
- Giuseppe (Italian)
- Yosef (Hebrew)
Famous people named Jo
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Fictional characters named Jo
Jo March is a character in Louisa May Alcott's novel 'Little Women,' known for her strong-willed personality.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jo was first seen in the United States in 1911. Jo has ranked as high as #1106 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in Texas, Oklahoma, and California. In the past 5 years the name Jo has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Jo (1985)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1911 | 6 |
| 1913 | 9 |
| 1914 | 5 |
| 1915 | 10 |
| 1916 | 11 |
| 1917 | 7 |
| 1918 | 15 |
| 1919 | 11 |
| 1920 | 25 |
| 1921 | 9 |
| 1922 | 13 |
| 1923 | 14 |
| 1924 | 13 |
| 1925 | 14 |
| 1926 | 12 |
| 1927 | 17 |
| 1928 | 21 |
| 1929 | 27 |
| 1930 | 35 |
| 1931 | 34 |
| 1932 | 18 |
| 1933 | 25 |
| 1934 | 32 |
| 1935 | 34 |
| 1936 | 22 |
| 1937 | 29 |
| 1938 | 28 |
| 1939 | 21 |
| 1940 | 23 |
| 1941 | 32 |
| 1942 | 22 |
| 1943 | 31 |
| 1944 | 21 |
| 1945 | 32 |
| 1946 | 18 |
| 1947 | 30 |
| 1948 | 34 |
| 1949 | 30 |
| 1950 | 31 |
| 1951 | 24 |
| 1952 | 34 |
| 1953 | 24 |
| 1954 | 25 |
| 1955 | 33 |
| 1956 | 30 |
| 1957 | 36 |
| 1958 | 20 |
| 1959 | 27 |
| 1960 | 40 |
| 1961 | 22 |
| 1962 | 29 |
| 1963 | 21 |
| 1964 | 23 |
| 1965 | 12 |
| 1966 | 16 |
| 1967 | 13 |
| 1968 | 9 |
| 1969 | 21 |
| 1970 | 27 |
| 1971 | 21 |
| 1972 | 19 |
| 1973 | 16 |
| 1974 | 10 |
| 1975 | 13 |
| 1976 | 13 |
| 1977 | 18 |
| 1978 | 21 |
| 1979 | 18 |
| 1980 | 17 |
| 1981 | 19 |
| 1982 | 19 |
| 1983 | 20 |
| 1984 | 14 |
| 1985 | 21 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1987 | 18 |
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1989 | 13 |
| 1990 | 6 |
| 1991 | 9 |
| 1992 | 11 |
| 1993 | 9 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1999 | 10 |
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 11 |