Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Joao
BoyPortuguese, Hebrew· “Portuguese form of John: God is gracious”
- Meaning
- Portuguese form of John: God is gracious
- Origin
- Portuguese, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- zhoo-OW
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,471
- US babies 2025
- 121
- Best rank
- #1,391 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Joao
Joao is a Portuguese and Hebrew name that means “Portuguese form of John: God is gracious”.
João is the Portuguese form of John, from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning God is gracious. On official records the tilde is often dropped, which is why it appears here as Joao. The name has deep roots in Portugal and Brazil, where it was borne by several kings, including João I, founder of the Aviz dynasty. The nasal ending is hard to capture in English; Portuguese speakers say something close to zhoo-OW, with a nasal final vowel. João Pedro and João Miguel are common double names, and Joãozinho is a familiar pet form at home.
Popularity over time
Joao first appears in US Social Security records in 1918. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,391 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 135 babies. In 2025, 121 babies were named Joao, and it ranked #1,471 nationally. That is 195% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,630 in 1920, #1,930 in 1980, #2,358 in 2000, #3,148 in 2010, and #1,471 in 2025. Of the 2,353 US boys named Joao since records began, 26% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 530 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Naim, Haze, Ozzie, Karam, and Ivar.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Joao ranked highest in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | #416 | 7 |
| Massachusetts | #450 | 11 |
| New Jersey | #798 | 8 |
| Indiana | #1017 | 5 |
| Pennsylvania | #1161 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Joao is usually pronounced zhoo-OW, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with J and ends in “-ao”.
Middle names for Joao
A few middle names that flow with Joao: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Joao
Similar names
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Lists that include Joao
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joao mean?
Joao is a Portuguese and Hebrew name that means “Portuguese form of John: God is gracious”.
What is the origin of the name Joao?
Joao has Portuguese and Hebrew roots. João is the Portuguese form of John, from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning God is gracious.
Is Joao a popular name?
Not especially. Joao ranked #1,471 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Joao a boy or girl name?
Joao is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Joao?
Joao is usually pronounced zhoo-OW. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings