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Jovan

Boy name · 4 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Jovan: 4 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 4 births in 2013.

Jovan is a South Slavic form of John, ultimately from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious.” While not traditional in Scotland, it has appeared on birth registers there, reflecting the country’s growing cultural diversity. The most famous bearer is Jovan Dučić, a celebrated Serbian poet and diplomat of the early 20th century, whose lyrical work is still widely read. In North Macedonia, the name is shared with Jovan of Ohrid, a medieval saint and scholar. A notable variant is the Scottish Gaelic Eòin, which shares the same root but has a very different sound. Despite its foreign roots, Jovan offers a melodic, international alternative to the more common John or Ian.