The name Joakim — a version of the name Joachim — first appeared in the U.S. baby name data in 2006:
- 2008: unlisted
- 2007: unlisted
- 2006: 10 baby boys named Joakim [debut]
- 2005: unlisted
- 2004: unlisted
Where did it come from?
French-American college basketball player Joakim Noah. From 2004 to 2007, he played for the University of Florida, winning the NCAA championship twice in a row (2006 and 2007). In 2006 specifically, he was named the NCAA’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
He went on to have a successful 13-season professional career, playing the first nine of those seasons with the Chicago Bulls (2007-2016). His name returned to the SSA data during that time, and it saw peak usage around the time Joakim Noah himself was at his peak (he was an NBA All-Star in both 2013 and 2014, and named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2014).
And how do you pronounce the name Joakim?
- Joakim’s French father, Yannick Noah — who played professional tennis from 1977 to 1996 — says JOH-ah-keem. (Here’s a video.)
- Joakim’s Swedish mother, Cécilia Rodhe — who was Miss Sweden 1978 — says YOH-ah-keem. (Here’s another video.)
- American sports announcers tend to say joh-keem. (Yet another video.)
What are your thoughts on the name Joakim? Which spelling and/or pronunciation do you like best?
Sources: Joakim Noah – Wikipedia, SSA