Joe is a popular English given name for boys that has been used throughout history. It is derived from the English name Joseph, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Yosef. The name Joseph means "God will increase," and it has been associated with the biblical figure of Joseph, who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob in the Old Testament.
The name Joe became popular during the Middle Ages when it was used as a short form of Joseph. It was also used interchangeably with other forms of the name such as Joey, Josie, and Jasper. Throughout history, many notable figures have carried the name Joe, including American presidents Joe Biden and Joe Walsh, as well as famous actors like Joe Pesci and Joe Manganiello.
Today, Joe remains a popular choice for boys' names, particularly in English-speaking countries. It has a simple yet strong sound to it, making it a versatile option for parents looking for a classic yet modern name for their son. While it is often associated with American culture due to its popularity among famous figures from the United States, Joe is actually an international name that can be found in many different cultures and communities around the world.
The name Joe experienced a significant rise in popularity during the late 19th to mid-20th century, peaking between 1926 and 1944 with over 200 births per year consistently. However, it began to decline sharply from the mid-1950s onwards, dropping below 100 births per year by 1963. By the late 1980s, Joe was rarely given as a name, with fewer than 20 births per year recorded. This trend has continued into the 21st century, with only single-digit numbers of babies named Joe born each year since 2007. Overall, there have been 11,318 recorded births with the name Joe from 1880 to 2007.