Rising since 1985, #1,466 for boys today.
Popularity of Joao since 1918
Babies named Joao per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 19 |
| 1920s | 20 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 14 |
| 1970s | 231 |
| 1980s | 201 |
| 1990s | 254 |
| 2000s | 530 |
| 2010s | 465 |
| 2020s | 614 |
Meaning & origin
Joao is the Portuguese form of the timeless name John, deeply rooted in Biblical tradition and carried by kings and saints across Europe. In the United States, its usage has been steadily rising since the mid-1980s, with the first recorded appearance in Social Security data in 1918. As of 2025, it ranks 1,466th, reflecting a 1 in 14,116 occurrence among newborn boys, and it achieved its peak popularity in 2024, suggesting continued growth. The name is most common in states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, areas with significant Portuguese American communities. While still modest in overall frequency, Joao represents a culturally specific choice that honors Portuguese heritage without sacrificing cross-cultural appeal.
Joao is the Portuguese form of John, derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' It has been in use in Portugal and Brazil for centuries, and its popularity in the United States reflects the growing Portuguese and Brazilian diaspora. The name has consistently ranked among the top names in Brazil.
Where Joao is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Joao” around the world
Where Joao lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
70
babies in 2024
Ireland
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jo, Jão, Juca
Sibling names for Joao
Names that share Joao's style, for a brother or sister.
