Baby Name of the Day: Jovie

The baby name Jovie sounds like a blend of Josie and Ivy, but this name has an intriguing backstory.

Thanks to Bree for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES THE NAME JOVIE MEAN?

Let’s talk about Jove. 

It’s a little complicated, but basically, Jove has evolved as another name for Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of Zeus, king of the gods.

It was long believed that anyone born under the sign of the planet Jupiter would be cheerful. 

So while jovial literally meant “belonging to Jupiter,” it actually indicated a joyful, happy person. 

The word has been around for centuries. But none of the sky god’s names have ever been especially popular, including Jove.

ALL ABOUT ELF

Then along came 2003 movie Elf.

On the off chance you haven’t seen it: Will Ferrell plays Buddy, a human child who snuck into Santa’s sleigh at an orphanage and made his way back to the North Pole. He’s raised as an elf, despite the fact that he quickly grows to tower over them all.

When Buddy learns his true story, he decides to venture to New York City to find his family. That’s not straightforward, of course – it turns out his dad never knew he had a son, much less one raised by elves. 

Buddy finds a job as an elf in Gimbel’s Department Store, just in time for Christmas. That’s where he meets Jovie. 

Played by Zooey Deschanel, she’s just another human working in the store – but she and Buddy quickly fall for each other. 

Directed by Jon Favreau, the movie became a smash hit and an almost instant holiday classic. For many families, no Christmas season is complete without a December re-watch of Elf.

IS JOVIE A UNISEX NAME?

Worth noting: the baby name Jovie could bring something else to mind: 1980s rock band Bon Jovi. It’s a simplified spelling of Bon Giovi, an Italian surname name with several possible origins.

Or maybe it’s a nickname for Jovan and Jovana, forms of John. 

It’s hard to understate the reach of that classic name. This potentially makes Jovie gender neutral, too – though in practice, it’s used almost exclusively for girls.

HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME JOVIE?

The movie Elf was released in November 2003.

By 2004, a dozen girls were named Jovie.

The name continued to climb in use. In 2020, the baby name Jovie debuted in the US Top 1000 at #922.

As of 2024, it stands at #625.

Besides the considerable seasonal appeal, Jovie succeeds on sound. It’s Josephine-meets-Olivia-meets-Sadie, a Jo name with a sparky sensibility and that sharp middle V.

SEASONAL AND SPARKLING

Whether you bought a ticket to see Jovie on the big screen back in 2003 or not, odds are you’ve seen the movie – or at least recognize that Will Ferrell spent some time in bright yellow tights and a green frock coat.

And that’s why Jovie might be the perfect name for a December-born daughter.

But the happy meaningful and upbeat sound make this a modern, energetic option for a child born at any time of the year.

What do you think of the baby name Jovie?