Find out how popular the first name Jovita has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jovita by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Jovita is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 8 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jovita.

The history of the first name Jovita

The name Jovita is a feminine given name with origins in the Spanish and Portuguese languages. It is a variant of the Latin name Jovita, which was derived from the Roman name Jovius, meaning "of Jupiter" or "relating to Jupiter." Jupiter was the supreme deity in ancient Roman mythology, considered the god of sky and thunder.

The name Jovita has been in use since ancient times, particularly in regions with strong Roman cultural influence, such as the Iberian Peninsula and parts of Italy. It gained popularity during the spread of Christianity, as it was adopted by several early Christian martyrs and saints.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jovita can be found in the 4th century, when it was borne by Saint Jovita, a Christian martyr who was killed during the Diocletian persecution in Brescia, Italy. Another early figure named Jovita was Saint Jovita of Palermo, who lived in the 5th century and is revered as the patron saint of Palermo, Sicily.

Throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the name Jovita maintained a presence in various regions of Europe, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula and Italy. Notable figures with this name include Jovita Díaz Muñoz (1917-2020), a Spanish teacher and writer who lived to be one of the oldest people in Spain.

In the 19th century, the name gained prominence in Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico and Central America. One prominent bearer was Jovita Idar (1885-1946), a Mexican-American journalist and civil rights activist who played a significant role in the Mexican-American community in Texas.

Another notable figure was Jovita Carranza (1949-2021), an American businesswoman and government official who served as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration under President Donald Trump from 2019 to 2021.

Other historical figures with the name Jovita include Jovita Fuentes (1920-1998), a Mexican-American author and educator known for her contributions to Chicano literature, and Jovita Idár (1885-1946), a Mexican-American journalist and activist who fought for civil rights and women's rights in Texas.

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

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

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