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Joao

Meaning: God is gracious
Origin: Portuguese (from Hebrew) — Variant of John

Boy's name · #1471 in the US (2025) · 2020s wave

Popularity over time

Joao reached its best rank, #1391, in 2024 and ranked #1471 in 2025. About 2,400 boys have carried it since 1918.

Across the states

See where Joao is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 8 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

Joao is especially popular in Portugal.

#6 in Portugal (2023) · #354 in Ecuador (2025) · #372 in Switzerland (2025) · #449 in Ireland (2025) · #687 in France (2025) · #1,174 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,440 in Belgium (2025) · #1,759 in Canada (2024).

Famous Joaos

Joao Grimaldo — Peruvian association football player
João Lourenço — Angolan politician (born 1954)
João Félix — Portuguese footballer (born 1999)
João Moutinh0 — Portuguese association football player (born 1986)
João Havelange — Brazilian businessman and athlete (1916–2016)

In stories & tradition

João Grilo^pt — Auto da Compadecida (book)

What Joaos become

Among 3,607 notable people named Joao:

Military figures appear 1.89× more often than among typical names — e.g. João Figueiredo, Brazilian politician (1918–1999).

Similar names: Johnnie · Malikai · Jhoan · Pharaoh · Cadence · Joziah

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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