Find out how popular the first name Jovian has been for the last 46 years (from 1978 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jovian by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Jovian is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Jovian being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 21 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Jovian.

The history of the first name Jovian

The name Jovian has its roots in the ancient Roman language, deriving from the Latin word "Iovius," which means "of Jupiter" or "relating to Jupiter." Jupiter was the supreme deity in Roman mythology, the king of the gods, and the god of sky and thunder. The name Jovian is believed to have originated during the Roman Empire, possibly as early as the 1st century AD.

One of the earliest historical references to the name Jovian can be found in the annals of Roman history. Flavius Jovianus, also known as Jovian, was a Roman Emperor who reigned briefly in 363-364 AD. He succeeded Julian the Apostate and was the last emperor to practice pagan religious beliefs before Christianity became the dominant religion in the Roman Empire.

Another notable figure with the name Jovian was Saint Jovian, an early Christian martyr who lived in the 4th century AD. He was executed for his refusal to renounce his Christian faith during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

In the 5th century AD, there was a Byzantine Emperor named Jovian who ruled from 363 to 364 AD. He is remembered for his efforts to secure peace with the Persians and for his tolerance towards various religious beliefs, including Christianity.

During the Middle Ages, the name Jovian was less common, but it did appear occasionally in historical records. One notable bearer of the name was Jovian, a 7th-century Frankish monk and hagiographer who wrote the life of Saint Desiderius of Vienne.

In more recent times, one of the most famous individuals with the name Jovian was Jovian Lang, an American artist and illustrator born in 1908. He was known for his work in the science fiction and fantasy genres, particularly his illustrations for pulp magazines and book covers.

While the name Jovian is not as common today as it once was, it continues to hold a unique place in history, carrying the legacy of ancient Roman mythology and the aura of celestial power and majesty.

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

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

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