Find out how popular the first name Jo has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jo by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jo is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 92% of people named Jo being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 46 female babies and 9 male babies born with the name Jo.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 9 baby boys were named Jo in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Jo

The name Jo is a diminutive form of various longer names, primarily derived from the Hebrew name Joseph or the Latin name Josephus. Its origins can be traced back to ancient times, with roots in both biblical and classical traditions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jo appears in the Old Testament of the Bible, where it is used as a shortened form of the name Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel. Joseph's story is a significant part of the biblical narrative, depicting him as a dreamer and interpreter of dreams who rose to become a powerful figure in ancient Egypt.

In the classical world, the name Josephus was borne by the renowned Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who lived from around 37 to 100 AD. His works, including "The Jewish War" and "Antiquities of the Jews," provide invaluable insights into the history and culture of ancient Judea and the Roman Empire.

Throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the name Jo continued to be used as a diminutive form of Joseph or Josephus, particularly in European countries with Christian traditions. Notable figures from this period include Jo Bunō (1282-1348), a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk and poet, and Jo van Ammers-Küller (1521-1591), a Dutch feminist writer and humanist.

In more recent history, the name Jo has been embraced by individuals across various fields. Jo Rowling (born 1965), better known as J.K. Rowling, is the celebrated British author of the Harry Potter book series. Jo Cox (1974-2016) was a British politician and advocate for human rights, tragically murdered in 2016.

Other notable individuals with the name Jo include Jo Stafford (1917-2008), an American jazz singer and actress, and Jo Andres (1888-1945), an American filmmaker and artist known for his avant-garde experimental films.

While the name Jo has its roots in ancient Hebrew and Latin origins, it has transcended cultural boundaries and gained popularity across various regions and eras, embraced by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions.

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 Jo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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