Jo
Jo is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Yahweh shall add; Yahweh is God.
Origin and history
Jo is a short form traditionally derived from names such as Joseph or Joel, meaning 'Yahweh shall add' or 'Yahweh is God'. Historically used as both a masculine name and a nickname, it remains a rare standalone given name for boys in the United States. In modern U.S. usage, it functions as a minimalist, traditional choice.
Popularity in the United States
1,854 babies in the United States have been named Jo since 1880. It ranks #2980 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1891.
States where it is most popular
- TX (80.2 %)
- CA (9.9 %)
- OK (9.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 74 |
| 1920-1930 | 165 |
| 1930-1940 | 278 |
| 1940-1950 | 273 |
| 1950-1960 | 284 |
| 1960-1970 | 206 |
| 1970-1980 | 176 |
| 1980-1990 | 153 |
| 1990-2000 | 77 |
| 2000-2010 | 80 |
| 2010-2019 | 52 |
| 2020-2029 | 36 |
Famous people named Jo
- Jo Stafford: Singer
Fun facts
- Jo originates as a element in classic Hebrew names like Joseph, Joel, and Jonathan, signifying God or Yahweh.
- With only two letters, it is one of the shortest given names registered in U.S. birth records.