The baby name Jago blends impeccable, traditional roots with an unexpected, current sound.
Thanks to Katharine for suggesting today’s Baby Name of the Day.
COUSIN TO JACOB AND JAMES
Jacob and James count as classic names for our sons. Name fans know they’re two sides of the same coin, both derived from the Old Testament Ya’aquov.
The meaning is a little murky.
That’s because Isaac and Rebecca welcome twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Jacob is born holding Esau’s heel, so some suggest that Ya’aquov literally means “holder of the heel.” Another popular meaning is supplanter, because Jacob supplants – replaces – his older brother Esau’s birthright.
How do we get from Ya’aquov to the baby name Jago?
It’s a twisted path, but Ya’aquov became Iacobus in Latin. And then, in some cases, Iacobus became Iacomus.
Whisper them both down separate alleys, and the first leads to Jacob; the latter, to James.
It was a significant name in the New Testament, and so it’s well-known across Europe and much of the world. The range of related names is vast, including:
- Akiva in Aramaic
- Jacques in French
- The Irish Seamus and Scottish Hamish
- Jaime and Yago in Spanish, plus Iago in Portuguese, all of which eventually lead to Santiago, Thiago, and Diego
- Italian gives us Giacomo
And Cornish brings us to Jago.
CORNWALL
Jago is the Cornish form of Jacob and James, and sometimes also heard in Spanish-speaking countries.
Located all the way in southwest England, between the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean, Cornwall boasted centuries as an independent nation. By the end of the 1700s, Cornwall belonged to Great Britain.
Cornish culture and language faded, but never entirely died out. With Celtic roots and lots of English influence, the language has been revived, though most now speak it as a second language.
This revival has led to parents embracing old Cornish given names for their children, as well as inventing new ones. Nature name Elowen is an example of the latter; Jago, of the former.
It’s also endured as a surname and sometimes a place name, too. They’re often connected; for example, Alaska’s Jago River was named after a member of the geological survey team.
KING JAGO
Geoffrey of Monmouth gave the name to a legendary King of the Britons. While there’s no historical evidence for his life, Geoffrey’s account indicates that this Jago lived and reigned in the late 700s.
History of the Kings of Britain was written around 1136, so that gives the name Jago plenty of history.
HOW POPULAR IS THE BABY NAME JAGO?
In the US, the baby name Jago debuted in the popularity data in 2003, with five births.
As of 2023, just eight boys received the name.
That’s pretty standard. Peak use, with eleven births, happened in 2020.
That makes this very rare, indeed. In England and Wales, Jago feels far more mainstream. But it still only makes it to the 400s and 500s in recent years.
Worth noting: boys’ names ending in O are more popular than ever, and rock star surname name Jagger has had a good run over the last two decades.
COOL UPDATE TO A TRADITIONAL FAVORITE
In the UK, Jago seems passingly familiar. Come across a real or fictional Jago, and there’s a good chance they’re British.
The Cormoran Strike detective series includes a minor character named Jago. (He’s not a good guy.) There’s a Hobbit called Jago Boffin in the Lord of the Rings universe. Video game Killer Spirit includes a Jago.
A handful more appear on various lists, but from an American perspective, the baby name Jago is incredibly rare.
It fits, though, with names like Hugo and Arlo, an O-ending possibility with deep roots. Call it a cool update to traditional Jacob, a name more interesting than classic James.
The baby name Jago might never catch on in the US, but it feels like a name that could wear well.
What do you think of the baby name Jago?
First published on September 24, 2008, this post was revised on August 9, 2024.
My Great Grandmother was Jago, she was Cornish, I did wonder if it had a Spanish/Jewish connection, must do some research!
I love the name Jago considering it is my last name. People tend to butcher it into Yah-Go quite a bit but I politely correct them and they seem to love the sound of it.
I must say, it gets a great deal of attention when I have to spell it aloud when making major purchases or giving out my address.
I am just thankful it’s not the norm here in the U.S.
Katharine, I don’t think you’re alone! It does seem more daunting to choose a less-than-mainstream name for a son.
I’ve assumed it was always that way, but it appears that in the Middle Ages, there were actually MORE names for boys and fewer for girls – at least in a number of eras. There may have been more nicknames for girls, still. But all of my reading seems to conclude that girls shared a smaller pool of baptismal names. (If anyone has a good, definitive source on the topic, please post – I’m just gleaning this from offhand comments from members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, lists of names in use and similar, less than meticulously researched pieces.) It may also be that fewer women’s names were entered in the historical record – but again, just guessing.
Dana, I think that’s a good question – I can see a JAH go becoming a HAH go here, too.
Katharine, I’m putting Theodore on the calendar for 10/24 – he’s one of my personal favorites, and my MIL’s second middle name. So I always thought he’d be a lock for a son’s name, but my husband veto’d him based on the Chipmunk connection. (Alvin and Simon have also been given the boot.) I’m a little bit heartbroken over that, but since #2 is a girl, we never really argued that one out. I know two small Theodores – one Theo and one Teddy. (Though I suspect Teddy might choose another nickname ’round about third grade.)
When I read the name I pronounced it YAH-go in my head for some reason, though I like JAH-go the best. I’m wondering if, down here in my heavily Spanish-speaking community, it might be mistaken for a Spanish-influenced name and sometimes pronounced HAH-go. A name like this would definitely stand out here- I am surrounded by Jadens (and even female Jaedynns). It would be a most welcome change!
Jago has been on my horizon for a little while, a bit like Isla – he’s appeared as if out of nowehere and is popping up all over the place! I would much rather encounter a Jago than a Jaden too (FYI: I’ve never come across a Jaden or any of the other variation on the -aden theme except Aiden – and not many of them at that).
I’m not in love with Jago though, I’d like to be but just can’t quite get to grips with him. To be honest I struggle to think ‘outside the box’ when it comes to boys names, I don’t know why but I just can’t settle for anything less than traditional sounding, proper boys names…
On that note and because Lola mentioned him – could you look at Theodore or if thats already been done -Theodora? Thanks!
I like Jago, any way he’s said at all. Just don’t say him like Iago. He’s too villanous! (Too bad too; because I like the way that sounds best of all!) I’ve also heard Yah-go from my Russian relatives trying to figure it out. Most of the cousins speak fine English but their parents, not so fine. 😉
But Jago’s neat. And I like the line he walks: familiar but funky and so not popular. (at least yet)
Not all us Yanks are chickens, and if Cosmo, Miles/Milo & Lucius/Lou weren’t already on my list (and I didn’t already have a J girl), Jago would be on my list, easily. I find him snappy, spritely & completely charming. He’d fit right in here in my neighborhood, witha Hugh (Huey), a Teo (Theodore) and a Geo (George).
Katherine, you’ve got a winner in Jago (I think). Thanks Verity for covering him! He’s neat! 🙂