MallowbyNames

Joh

JOH · God is gracious, from the Hebrew Yochanan.

Peak popularity
1984
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Joh since 1949

Babies named Joh per year in U.S. Social Security records.

714211960198020002020Most births 1982Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1940s7
1950s26
1960s78
1970s139
1980s151
1990s6
2000s0
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Joh is a concise, straightforward short form of Johannes, the German and Scandinavian version of John. First recorded in the United States in 1949, the name has remained extremely rare, with only occasional births each year. Its peak year was 1984, but even then the number of newborns given this name was minimal. The name has followed a stable trajectory since its sporadic appearance, never approaching mainstream popularity. Joh is almost exclusively used for boys, consistent with its roots in the male name Johannes. While it lacks a presence in any top state rankings, it carries a simple, direct sound that appeals to parents seeking a less common alternative to John or Joe.

Joh is a short form of Johannes, the German and Scandinavian form of John, which derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning 'Yahweh is gracious.' It emerged as a standalone given name in Germanic regions, particularly in the 20th century. While less common than the full form, it has been used consistently in Germany and Scandinavian countries.

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Jo, Joe

Sibling names for Joh

Names that share Joh's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Anna, Marie, Ingrid, Karin, Lena

Brothers: Hans, Karl, Erik, Lars, Oskar

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

J is for Joh, our favorite little boy.

J is for Joh…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Joh's letter becomes Joh's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Joh's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Joh mean?
Joh means 'God is gracious,' derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan.
How popular is the name Joh?
Joh is very rare in the United States. It has never ranked in the Social Security Administration's top 1000 names, and data shows only a handful of births per year since 1949, with its peak year in 1984.
Is Joh a boy's name or a girl's name?
Joh is predominantly a boy's name, used as a short form of Johannes or John.