Surname Jovan - Meaning and Origin
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Jovan: What does the surname Jovan mean?
The last name Jovan is of Serbian origin. It is derived from the name Ioannes, which was derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious.”
The suffix -van is an addition to the name which denotes patronymic origin, indicating that it was passed down from father to son. Hence, the literal meaning of the name Jovan is “son of John.” It can refer to any number of Serbian surnames such as Jovanovic, Jovancic, and Jovovich.
The name Jovan appears to have been used in Serbia since at least the 12th century, when it is mentioned in Dubrovnik records as being the original surname of certain residents of the city. It has since spread to other parts of the Balkans, especially to Montenegro, Macedonia, and parts of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
In more recent times, the surname Jovan has become known outside of the Balkans, mainly through the work of famous Serbians such as Josip Broz Tito, the former leader of Yugoslavia, and Nadia Comaneci, the Romanian gymnast who achieved international fame during the 1976 Olympics.
Today, the surname Jovan is often found among members of the Serbian diaspora, particularly in Australia, the United States, Canada, and other western countries. It has proved to be a popular and enduring surname, with many happy families proud to carry on its legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisJovan: Where does the name Jovan come from?
The last name Jovan is most commonly found today in Europe, particularly in the countries of Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Macedonia. It is believed to be derived from the male given name Jovan, which is derived from the Hebrew name "Yohanan" or "Jehochanan". This name itself ultimately derives from the Hebrew "Yahweh is gracious".
The Jovan surname is believed to have entered Eastern Europe through the regions where many Byzantine and Venetian mercenaries moved during the medieval era. There is also evidence that people of the Jovan surname used it as a patronym of Johann before Around the 19th century and that they adapted it further to the local dialects.
In Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Macedonia, Jovan is used as a given name, a surname, or both as a surname and given name. Among the prominent people bearing this name is the Serbian artist Josif Jovan, the Croatian footballer Zlatko Jovan, and the Montenegrin-born handball player Vladislav Jovan.
The spreading of the Jovan name is attributed largely to mass migrations, both within and beyond Europe. Today, the last name is found in countries including France, Germany, the United States, and Canada, with larger concentrations in the former Yugoslavian republics and in the United States.
Variations of the surname Jovan
The surname Jovan is most commonly thought to be a form of the biblical name for Jehovah, the name given to God in the Hebrew Bible. This surname can also be spelled Yovan, Yovanovich, Yovannov, Jovannov, Jovanno, Yovanno, and Yovano. Other surnames of similar origin, that may be related, include Jovanovich, Jovanovic, Jovanovski, Jovovic, and Jovev.
The Jovan (or Yovan) surname is primarily found in former Yugoslavian countries and can be found in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro in particular. It is often of Slavic origin, and is believed to come from the Slavic suffix “-ov” which forms family names that denote a paternal connection. The Church-Slavonic form of the name is “Iovân”, which is derived from medieval Hebrew scriptures and dates back to ancient Greek and Hebrew roots.
The Jovan surname is an old and venerable one that holds much history and cultural importance. It is believed that anyone with the Jovan surname is a descendant of the pre-Christian Roman nobleman, Jovan. This theory is not without controversy, however, as some experts postulate that the surname may have been adopted late in the 19th century by families who were looking to borrow a nobility that they lacked. Nonetheless, the Jovan surname has gained some traction and is represented around the world today.
Famous people with the name Jovan
- John Jovanovic: Serbian actor and playwright
- Thomas Jovanovski: former world number 9 ranked tennis player
- Lisa Jovanovic: Australian netball player
- Ognjen Jovanovic: Serbian footballer
- Nenad Jovanovic: Serbian basketball player
- SGM Ranka Jovanovic: Serbian singer-songwriter and producer
- Jovan Jovanovic: Bosinian environmentalist, mountaineer and author
- Dragutin Jovanovic: Serbian experimental filmmaker
- Branko Jovanovic: Serbian politician and lawyer
- Bianca Jovanovic: Serbian actress and television host