E. De Felice and A. Bongioanni agree that the surname Gioia may have multiple origins. One of the most common explanations traces it to the medieval personal name Gioia, derived from the Italian word gioia (“joy”), which was used as an affectionate and auspicious name expressing happiness, good fortune and hope for the child's future. The name was employed for both men and women during the Middle Ages and later became established as a hereditary surname.

E. De Felice also notes a possible toponymic origin. In some cases, the surname may derive from southern Italian place names such as Gioia or Gioiosa, identifying families according to their place of origin. Certain branches may likewise reflect the Italian translation of a Hebrew personal name, a phenomenon documented in some historical contexts.

A. Bongioanni agrees with these interpretations and emphasizes both the auspicious value of the personal name and its possible connection with southern Italian place names. He likewise acknowledges the possibility that the surname originated as the Italian equivalent of a Hebrew name in particular communities or periods.

De Felice further identifies a distinct Piedmontese case involving the variant Cioia. In the Alpine dialects of the Mondovì area, the words ciuaia and cioia mean “crow,” suggesting an independent origin as a nickname based on physical appearance, behavior or character traits. This interpretation is considered separate from the symbolic and toponymic origins associated with the surname Gioia.

Overall, Gioia is a surname that may derive from an auspicious medieval personal name meaning “joy,” from place names of southern Italy, or, in some cases, from translated Hebrew names. Its various origins reflect the rich linguistic and cultural traditions that contributed to the formation of Italian surnames.