The name Jo is a short form of the male given name Joseph, which is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef. This name has been in use since biblical times and means "God will increase," or "he will add." It is believed to have originated from the story of Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob in the Old Testament.
Throughout history, the name Jo has been used by many notable figures. One of the most famous bearers of this name was the American jazz singer and pianist Joe "King" Oliver, who was a key figure in the development of jazz music in the early 20th century. Another notable bearer of this name was British author and poet Joseph Conrad, whose works include such classics as Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim.
In many cultures, Jo is considered to be a strong and masculine name, often associated with leadership and courage. However, it has also been used as a unisex name in recent years, reflecting the trend towards more gender-neutral naming choices. Regardless of its use as a male or female name, Jo remains a classic choice that has stood the test of time.
Overall, the name Jo is a short and simple name with a long history and meaningful meaning. It has been used by many notable figures throughout history and continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for a strong and timeless name for their child. Whether you're drawn to its biblical origins or simply appreciate its classic sound, Jo is a name that is sure to make an impression.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends regarding the name Jo over the years in the United States:
From 1911 to 1960, the number of births with the name Jo varied widely, ranging from a low of 6 births in 1911 and 1986 to a high of 40 births in 1960. The most popular decade for the name Jo during this period was the 1950s, with an average of 32 births per year.
However, starting from the 1970s, there was a significant decrease in the popularity of the name Jo. Between 1970 and 1989, the number of births with this name ranged between 5 and 27 per year, with an average of around 16 births per year.
From 1990 onwards, the name Jo became even less popular, with fewer than 14 births recorded in each year until 2018. However, there was a slight increase in popularity between 2020 and 2023, with 8 to 9 births recorded each year.
In total, over the period from 1911 to 2023, there were 1,835 births with the name Jo in the United States.