Jo
What does Jo mean and where does it come from?
Jo, often a diminutive form of names like Joanna or Josephine, has Hebrew origins primarily associated with 'Yohanan,' meaning 'God is gracious.' The name has been used since antiquity and continues to be a popular choice due to its simplicity and elegance. It enjoys widespread popularity in various
How else can you spell Jo?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Jo?
Jo works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
How popular is Jo right now?
Rising fast — up 674 spots — currently #3397 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
The story of Jo
Jo has been a beloved American name for over 143 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1881. Its peak popularity was #51 in 1947. More than 180,697 babies have been named Jo since 1881. Once ranked #691 in 1885, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #3397 in 2023. Jo is used for both genders: 99% female and 1% male.
Names that peaked alongside Jo in 1947:
Jo by decade
Jo peaked in the 1940s. See all 1940s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 69 | |
| 1890s | 140 | |
| 1900s | 311 | |
| 1910s | 1,266 | |
| 1920s | 7,061 | |
| 1930s | 28,931 | |
| 1940s | 48,720 | |
| 1950s ★ | 64,237 | |
| 1960s | 20,402 | |
| 1970s | 6,094 | |
| 1980s | 2,139 | |
| 1990s | 685 | |
| 2000s | 302 | |
| 2010s | 298 | |
| 2020s | 42 |
What are good nicknames for Jo?
What names sound and feel like Jo?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Jo also consider these