JoJo

“

Jotaro Kujo... apparently, his friends at school took the "Jo" from Kujo and the "Jo" from Jotaro to nickname him "JoJo"... What a riot !

”

—Japanese Police Officer, Chapter 114: Jotaro Kujo, Part 1

JoJo (ジョジョ) is a nickname shared by each of the main protagonists of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, derived from the recurrence of "Jo" in their names.

In the text of the manga during Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency, it is used most frequently in reference to Jonathan and Joseph Joestar.

Each of the protagonists are also descended from the Joestar Family, and as such all bear the Joestar Birthmark.

Protagonists

The JoJos

Jonathan Joestar

Joseph Joestar

Jotaro Kujo

Josuke Higashikata

Giorno Giovanna

Jolyne Cujoh

Johnny Joestar

Josuke Higashikata

Non-Protagonists

The following characters are not protagonists in the series, and some do not even belong to the Joestar bloodline. However, it is notable that their names are able to be shortened as "JoJo":

Non-Protagonist JoJos

George Joestar I

George Joestar II

Sadao Kujo

Shizuka Joestar

George Joestar II

George Joestar III

Josuke Higashikata

Birth name

Joseph Joestar

Josefumi Kujo

Sadafumi Kujo

JORGE JOESTAR

JORGE JOESTAR JOJOS

Jorge/Joji Joestar

Jodoh Joestar

Jonda Joestar

Joeko Joestar

Origin

The name "JoJo" originated at a Denny's where Araki and his first editor, Ryosuke Kabashima, had their first meeting pertaining to the series. The two had decided on "Jonathan" as the series' protagonist, however, Araki also wanted the initials to match in a way similar to the American filmmaker, Steven Spielberg (S.S). They eventually landed on the name, "Jonathan Joestar" (J.J) and thus the nickname "JoJo" was born.

Jonathan was rumored to be named after "Jonathan's Family Restaurant," however, both Araki and Kabashima confirm this was an urban myth that formed among fans back in the day. Araki had also brought up the name during a 2006 interview, but he claims the interviewer had mentioned it and he just went along with it by accident. Coincidentally, their later meetings during Parts 2 and 3 were held at said Jonathan's restaurant.

Trivia

• Giorno Giovanna and Josuke Higashikata (Part 8) are the only main protagonists who were never referred to by the nickname "JoJo" (or the stylized "GioGio") by other characters in canon works.
• The only time the stylized "GioGio" is mentioned by another character is during the ending scene of the light novel Purple Haze Feedback wherein Pannacotta Fugo and Giorno Giovanna discuss the events of the story. Giorno tells Fugo to "do him a favor" and call him "GioGio" instead of "Boss", Fugo replies by swearing his allegiance and refers to him as "GioGio".