Jorge is the Spanish and Portuguese form of George, derived from the Greek name Γεώργιος (Georgios), meaning "farmer" or "earth-worker." The name is pronounced very differently in each language: Spanish [ˈxoɾxe], Portuguese [ˈʒɔɾʒɨ].Etymology and HistoryTracing its roots back to ancient Greek, the name originates from elements ge (earth) and ergon (work), literally translating to "earth-worker." The Latin form Georgius was rarely used in Western Europe until the 12th century, when the story of Saint George and the dragon (popularized in the Golden Legend of the 1260s) made the name widespread at royal courts. In the Iberian Peninsula, the form Jorge appears in Portugal as early as the 15th century, notably with Jorge de Lencastre, Duke of Coimbra (1481–1550).Cultural SignificanceAs the name of the patron saint of England, Portugal, Catalonia, and Aragon, George (and thus Jorge) carries strong religious associations. Saint George, a 3rd-century Roman soldier martyred under Diocletian, became a symbol of chivalry and valor, especially in medieval art depicting his dragon-slaying feat. In modern times, Jorge is a common given name in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America.Notable BearersPerhaps the most famous bearer of Jorge is the Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges (1899–1986), a master of short stories, poetry, and essays, known for works like Ficciones and The Aleph. Other notable individuals include many footballers from Brazil and Portugal who go by the single name Jorge, as well as politicians, artists, and athletes throughout the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking world.Related FormsThe name has numerous cross-linguistic variants, including Albanian Gjergj, Greek Georgios, Armenian Gevorg and Kevork, and Basque Gorka. In Portuguese, a common diminutive for boys is Jorginho, while the feminine form in Spanish is Georgina.Meaning: Farmer, earth-workerOrigin: Greek, via LatinType: Given nameUsage Regions: Spain, Portugal, Latin America