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

Popularity of Jodi by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jodi is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 98% of people named Jodi being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 35 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jodi.

The history of the first name Jodi

The name Jodi has its roots in several cultures and languages, with varying meanings and origins. In Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, the name Jodi is derived from the word "jyoti," which means "light" or "radiance." This connection to light and brightness has made the name a popular choice among Hindus.

In Hebrew, the name Jodi is a variant of the biblical name Yehudah, which means "praised" or "celebrated." This ties the name to the Jewish tradition and the tribe of Judah. It's possible that the name Jodi came to English-speaking countries through Jewish immigration.

The name Jodi also has ties to Italian culture, where it is a diminutive form of the name Giovanna or Gioacchino. These names have their roots in Hebrew and Greek, respectively, and have been common in Italy for centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jodi can be found in the works of the ancient Greek poet Homer, who mentioned a character named Jodi in the Odyssey, written around the 8th century BCE. This suggests that the name has been in use for over two millennia.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Jodi. One of the earliest was Jodi of Todi, an Italian mystic and Franciscan nun who lived in the 13th century. Her writings on mysticism and spirituality were widely influential in her time.

In the 16th century, Jodi Garaja was a renowned Italian painter and architect from Mantua. Her works, including frescoes and architectural designs, can still be seen in various Italian cities.

In the realm of literature, Jodi Picoult, born in 1966, is a celebrated American author known for her novels exploring ethical dilemmas and family dynamics. Her works, such as "My Sister's Keeper" and "The Pact," have achieved critical acclaim and commercial success.

Jodi Benson, born in 1961, is an American actress and singer best known for providing the voice of Ariel in Disney's animated film "The Little Mermaid." Her performance as the iconic mermaid has become a beloved part of popular culture.

Finally, Jodi Arias, born in 1980, is an infamous American criminal who gained notoriety for the brutal murder of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander, in 2008. Her highly publicized trial and subsequent conviction brought the name into the public spotlight, albeit for tragic reasons.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!