How Many People Are Named Jo?
Complete statistics for the name Jo: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Jo is a short, punchy name with roots as a nickname for Josephine or Joanna, both drawing from Hebrew origins meaning 'God is gracious.' About 116,680 people named Jo are living in the US today, making it genuinely rare at 1 in 2,828 Americans. What's striking is how concentrated this name is in older generations, with the vast majority of Jos being grandparent-age or older.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 7 is traditionally linked to deep thinking, intuition, and a search for inner truth. People associated with 7 are often seen as analytical and spiritually curious, drawn more to understanding the world than to the spotlight.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 76All 180,866 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1954Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Jo Through the Generations
Jo had its golden moment in 1954, when 8,077 babies were given the name in a single year. That peak reflects a mid-century America where short, no-fuss names were having a real moment. Of the 180,866 Jos ever born in the US, around 116,680 are still living, a noticeable gap that reflects how far back this name's popularity stretches. The age story here is pretty remarkable: 92% of living Jos are over 60, and the over-60 group alone accounts for 165,578 people compared to just 1,000 under-30. The average age sits at 76, which lines that up perfectly. Jo also spent 13 years inside the US top 10, a real marker of staying power for its era. The trend is currently rising, which is a little surprising given how skewed the living population is toward older generations, but it hints at a quiet revival among parents drawn to its simplicity.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Jo
Jo is a given name, often a short form (hypocorism) of Joanna, Joanne, Joseph, Josephine, George, etc. Notable people with the name include:…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Jo's Hebrew roots
📄 About the Name Jo
How Many People Have the Name Jo?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 4,518 people in the United States currently share the name Jo. That works out to roughly 1 in every 73,362 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Jo a Common or Rare Name?
Jo is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Jo Mean?
Jo means "God is gracious, short form" and comes from Hebrew origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 7.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Jo in SSA data, approximately 1% are male and 99% are female.
When Was Jo Most Popular?
The name Jo reached peak popularity in 1954, with 8,077 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Jo?
Approximately 4,518 people named Jo live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 4,518. That works out to roughly 1 in 73,362 Americans.
Is Jo a rare name?
Jo is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 73,362 Americans has this name.
What does the name Jo mean?
Jo means "God is gracious, short form" and comes from Hebrew origins.
Is Jo more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 1% of people named Jo are male and 99% are female.
When was Jo most popular?
Jo peaked in 1954 with 8,077 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.