Jo
Primarily a girl's name of Hebrew origin with 179,020 recorded births. Also given to 1,846 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name.
Jo is a girl's and boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a short form of names like Josephine and Joanna, both ultimately rooted in the Hebrew name Yosef meaning 'God will increase.' Jo has a punchy, independent spirit that sets it apart from its longer source names.
The most famous literary Jo is undoubtedly Jo March from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women — a fiercely independent character who made this name synonymous with creativity and courage. As a stand-alone name it feels both vintage and refreshingly direct.
EtymologyShow more
Jo is cataloged under the Hebrew naming tradition. Hebrew names often carry theological significance — many embed references to God, virtues, or blessings within their structure.
In the U.S., Jo has been recorded as a girl's name since 1881, with 179,020 total births. Browse the Hebrew names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Jo climbed 2302 spots in the last 20 years — from #6616 to #4314.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 193 | #3893 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 246 | #6715 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 223 | #5906 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 609 | #2292 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 1,985 | #948 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 5,918 | #410 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 20,195 | #189 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 63,941 | #71 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 48,449 | #61 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 28,653 | #88 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 6,896 | #286 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 1,192 | #563 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 311 | #654 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 140 | #873 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 69 | #858 | — |
The Story of Jo
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1954, Jo is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Jo are most likely born between 1944 and 1964.
How rare is Jo?
Only about 1 in every 109,091 babies born in 2024 was named Jo — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1881, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1950s with 63,941 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Jo by the numbers
- Enough Jos to fill 2.6 football stadiums
- More Jos than the population of a small U.S. town
- Meeting one Jo per day would take 490.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(143 years, 1881–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33 | #4314 |
| 2023 | 47 | #3397 |
| 2022 | 36 | #4071 |
| 2021 | 42 | #3639 |
| 2020 | 35 | #4045 |
| 2019 | 34 | #4208 |
| 2018 | 40 | #3758 |
| 2017 | 40 | #3806 |
| 2016 | 34 | #4296 |
| 2015 | 27 | #5043 |
| 2014 | 18 | #6841 |
| 2013 | 15 | #7950 |
| 2012 | 18 | #6984 |
| 2011 | 14 | #8393 |
| 2010 | 6 | #15875 |
| 2009 | 18 | #7184 |
| 2008 | 17 | #7556 |
| 2007 | 18 | #7234 |
| 2006 | 25 | #5452 |
| 2005 | 17 | #6975 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Jo as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Jo has also been given to 1,846 boys in the U.S. since 1911.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jo a boy's or girl's name?
When was Jo most popular?
How popular is the name Jo?
Can Jo be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1881–2024