Meaning & History
Iou is the Greek form of Jehu, a biblical name of Hebrew origin. It appears in the Greek Bible (the Septuagint) as the transliteration of the Hebrew name יֵהוּא (Yehu).
Etymology
The name Jehu derives from the Hebrew phrase meaning "Yahweh is he," composed of the elements yeho (a form of Yahweh') and hu ("he"). In the Old Testament, this theophoric name reflects the acknowledgment of divine sovereignty.
Biblical Context
In the Old Testament, Jehu was a king of Israel who reigned in the 9th century BC. He came to power by overthrowing Jehoram (2 Kings 9-10). A prophet named Jehu also appears in the reign of King Baasha (1 Kings 16). The name Iou preserves the Hebrew structure through Greek phonetic adaptation.
Variant Forms
The name has cognates in other languages: Jehu (Biblical English), Yehu (Biblical Hebrew), and Hieu (Biblical Latin). These forms share the same etymological roots and biblical associations.
- Meaning: "Yahweh is he"
- Origin: Greek form of Hebrew Jehu
- Type: Biblical name
- Usage regions: Greek Bible (Septuagint)][/recognition]