João

Portuguese

Alternative forms

• Joaõ (obsolete)

Etymology

From Old Portuguese Joan, from Latin Iōhannēs, a variant of Iōannēs), from New Testament Ancient Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōannēs), contraction from Hebrew יוֹחָנָ (Johanan) Jōħānān, perhaps from a former יְהוֹחָנָן (Yehochanan) J^əhôħānān, meaning "God is gracious".

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ʒu.ɐ̃w̃/
• (South Brazil) IPA: /ʒo.ɐ̃w̃/

Proper noun

João m (f: Joana)

1. A male given name; Portuguese equivalent of John.
   • 1959, João Ferreira de Almeida, Almeida Revista e Atualizada, Sociedade Bíblica do Brasil, João 1:6:

     Houve um homem enviado de Deus, cujo nome era João.

     There was a man sent by God, whose name was John.

   • 1862, Camilo Castelo Branco, Amor e Perdição:

     Você é cruel, senhor João! — disse o academico.

     You are cruel, mister John! - said the academic.

   • 1911, Garcia Redondo, Descobrimento do Brazil, Casa Vanorder, page 44:

     Munido dessa generosa carta de D. João II, que é um salvo conducto, Colombo volta a Portugal...

     Having this generous letter from King John II, which is a safe-conduct, Columbus returns to Portugal...

Derived terms

• joanino
• joão-de-barro
• joão-ninguém