[Opinions] Jo
This is my stepdaughter's middle name, and for some reason I recently was pondering it. She is a Jennifer Jo.
Why do you think Jo is not used more as a middle name? It has all the desired filler qualities -- short, goes with almost anything, etc.
What do you think of it as a first name? Have you ever know a Jo? I haven't, personally, but they must be out there....
Why do you think Jo is not used more as a middle name? It has all the desired filler qualities -- short, goes with almost anything, etc.
What do you think of it as a first name? Have you ever know a Jo? I haven't, personally, but they must be out there....
Replies
It's prob'ly because it feels incomplete... like it should be short for something else but not a name in and of itself... Have known plenty of people who get addressed as Jo and some who have it as part of a double name (Billie-Jo), but it doesn't feel complete on its own...
Jolene
Joanna
Joanne
Jodi
Josephine
Joelle
They all feel more solid than just Jo, but can use Jo as a nn if they so choose. I'm partial to Kendra Jolene nn Kendra-Jo. I believe "Designing Women" had a Mary-Jo. DJ on "Full House" was short for Donna-Jo. However, Jo on its own is missing something.
Jolene
Joanna
Joanne
Jodi
Josephine
Joelle
They all feel more solid than just Jo, but can use Jo as a nn if they so choose. I'm partial to Kendra Jolene nn Kendra-Jo. I believe "Designing Women" had a Mary-Jo. DJ on "Full House" was short for Donna-Jo. However, Jo on its own is missing something.
I know a ton of girls with this as a middle name, three just in my family.
Personally I like it as a first name, not so much as a middle name. It's short and sweet and sounds quite strong which seems to be a naming trend for girls right now.
I've known one Jo in real life. She was a librarian at the local library when I was very young. That was her full name, not a nickname btw.
Personally I like it as a first name, not so much as a middle name. It's short and sweet and sounds quite strong which seems to be a naming trend for girls right now.
I've known one Jo in real life. She was a librarian at the local library when I was very young. That was her full name, not a nickname btw.
I think it isn't used as much as it might because it has a kind of hillbilly vibe to it. Like the three girls in the old TV show Petticoat Junction: Bobbie Jo, Betty Jo, and Billie Jo. I'm sure they were all given the same middle name, and that particular middle name, to fit the countrified theme of the show.
I had a science teacher named Jo in the eighth grade. Her name was Joanne but she was usually called Jo. Hateful old woman.
I had a science teacher named Jo in the eighth grade. Her name was Joanne but she was usually called Jo. Hateful old woman.
Unlike Grace, Rose, Lynn, Leigh, Anne, Jane, and other one-syllable, filler middle names, Jo is usually the short version of another name, Josephine, Josefa, etc. I think Jo is usually used as a nickname and not a formal name. Plus Jo, can seem more masculine sounding in English speaking countries, because of the name Joe, usually short for Joseph. Just guesses, though.
I think it's not used more as a middle name because any first name, paired with JO, gives the name a real Southern, country-feel, and that's not for everyone.
I've never known a Jo. I certainly would never approve of it on its own as a first name---much too nicknamey and seems very incomplete. Actually, that's why I wouldn't use it as a middle name, either, in addition to the country feel.
I've never known a Jo. I certainly would never approve of it on its own as a first name---much too nicknamey and seems very incomplete. Actually, that's why I wouldn't use it as a middle name, either, in addition to the country feel.