Java is a unisex name of Hebrew origin that means "God is an oath". It is derived from the Hebrew word "yavah", which means "oath" or "pledge". In the Bible, it is used as another name for God.
The name Java has been popular throughout history. It was borne by several early saints and martyrs, including Saint James the Less (also known as Saint Jacob), one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ who later became the first bishop of Jerusalem.
The name Java also has historical significance in literature. In Sir Walter Scott's novel "Ivanhoe", the character Rebecca is referred to as the "Jewess" or simply "Java". This novel was published in 1820 and helped popularize the name in Europe during that time period.
Today, Java continues to be used as a given name for both boys and girls. It has been particularly popular in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the US, Java has consistently ranked among the top 1000 baby names since the 1980s.
Interestingly enough, the programming language Java was named after the island of Java in Indonesia. Although not directly related to the name's Hebrew origins or historical uses, this modern association with technology and computing has added another layer of meaning to the name Java.
The name Java experienced a gap of 20 years between its first two recorded births, with a total of 17 babies named Java born over the span of these three years.