Jo
See also: Appendix:Variations of "jo"
English
Pronunciation
- enPR: jō
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /d͡ʒəʊ/
- (General American) IPA(key): /d͡ʒoʊ/
- Homophones: Joe, joe
- Rhymes: -əʊ
Etymology 1
Clipping or hypochoristic form of various female given names beginning with Jo..., primarily Joan, Joanna, etc. but also Josephine and Jolene.
Doublet of Ivanka, Jan, Janelle, Janet, Janey, Janine, Jeanette, Jeanie, Jeannette, Jeannine, Jen, Jenna, Jenny, Jessie, Jody, Juanita, Shanae, Sinead, and Vanna in reference to the first derivation.
Proper noun
Jo
- A female given name.
- 1888 Marietta Holley: Josiah Allen's Wife as a P.A. and P.I.: Samantha at the Centennial: page 577:
- "Its name is Samantha Jo, after Josiah and me. You know they call girls Jo and Josie a sight lately; its name is agreeable to Josiah and me, very.
- 1888 Marietta Holley: Josiah Allen's Wife as a P.A. and P.I.: Samantha at the Centennial: page 577:
Usage notes
Primarily used as a nickname but also occasionally used as a formal given name, especially in conjoined names such as Jo Ann and Mary Jo.
Alternative forms
Proper noun
Jo
- (rare) Alternative form of Joe.
- 1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, “Chapter XI”, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, OCLC 999756093:
- Name, Jo. Nothing else that he knows on. Don't know that everybody has two names. Never heerd of sich a think. Don't know that Jo is short for a longer name. Thinks it long enough for him. He don't find no fault with it. Spell it? No. He can't spell it.
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Derived terms
- Jo Daviess County; see also Jody
Dutch
Pronunciation
Audio (file) - Rhymes: -oː
French
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ʒo/
German
Norwegian
Proper noun
Jo
- a male given name, short form of Jon (= John)
- (rare) a female given name, from Old Norse jór, horse
- (rare) a female given name, short for Josefine, Johanne etc.
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