Find out how popular the first name Java has been for the last 23 years (from 1978 to 2000) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Java by gender

Based on the last 23 years of data, Java is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 57% of people named Java being female.

For the most recent data in 2000, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Java.

The history of the first name Java

The name Java is believed to have originated from the Indonesian island of the same name. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "jawa," which means "island of grain." The island of Java, located in the Indonesian archipelago, has been a major trading hub for centuries, and its name has been known to various cultures around the world.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Java can be found in the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, which dates back to around the 4th century BCE. In this text, the island is referred to as "Yavadvipa," which is believed to be a reference to the island's abundance of grains and crops.

The name Java also appears in various Islamic texts from the 7th century onwards, as the island was an important trading partner for Arab merchants. The famous Arab traveler and geographer, Ibn Battuta, visited Java in the 14th century and wrote extensively about the island's culture and people.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Java was a 9th-century Buddhist monk from India named Java Vajra. He is known for spreading Buddhism to the island of Java and establishing several monasteries there.

Another notable figure with the name Java was a 13th-century Muslim scholar and traveler named Java al-Din al-Tusi. He wrote about his travels to various parts of the world, including Java, and his works provide valuable insights into the cultural and religious practices of the time.

In the 16th century, a Javanese prince named Java Raya played a significant role in the struggles against Portuguese colonization. He led a rebellion against the Portuguese and is remembered as a symbol of Javanese resistance against foreign domination.

In more recent times, Java has been a relatively uncommon given name, but there have been a few notable individuals who have borne it. One such person was Java Arnold, an American jazz musician and bandleader who lived from 1887 to 1965.

Another notable individual with the name Java was Java Putra, an Indonesian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia from 1966 to 1968.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Java was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Java, please contact us.

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