The nameJoan
Joan is the old English feminine of John. It was a top 5 American name in the early 1930s.
- Unisex name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Joan comes from Johanna, from the Hebrew Yohanan, "God is gracious".
Origin
Hebrew, through Old French.
History
Joan of Arc, the French heroine, is the most famous bearer. In the United States Joan was in the top 10 from 1930 to 1938, reaching 5th place in 1931. In Catalan, Joan is a boy's name, the form of John.
Did you know?
- Joan Baez sang at the Woodstock festival in 1969, while six months pregnant.
Famous people named Joan
- Joan of Arc
- Joan Baez, singer
- Joan Didion, writer
- Joan Crawford, actress
Popularity of the name Joan
Joan in the United States
Joan was most popular in the United States in the 1930s, with 174,219 births over the decade, 36% of all recorded babies named Joan. Its rise began around 1923, and it peaked in 1932. Half of all babies named Joan in the United States were born before 1941, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 357 births a year on average, against 293 in the five years before.
Joan in Ireland
Joan was most popular in Ireland in the 1960s, with 1,371 births over the decade, 45% of all recorded babies named Joan. Half of all babies named Joan in Ireland were born before 1970, so it is mostly a parents' generation name.
Joan in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Joan
Names from the same generation as Joan, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Joan? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Joan with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Joan side by side with the name of your choice.
Joan in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joan mean?
Joan comes from Johanna, from the Hebrew Yohanan, "God is gracious".
What is the origin of the name Joan?
Hebrew, through Old French.
Is Joan a girl's or a boy's name?
Joan is a unisex name, given to both girls and boys.
How popular is the name Joan?
In 2024, Joan was the 1240th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 188 births.
What are the variants of the name Joan?
Variants and related names of Joan include Jean, Jeanne, Johanna and Vanina.
What are good sibling names for Joan?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Noemi, Betty, Anais and Dalia for a sister, Reuben, Eleazar, Aron and Kenan for a brother.
Who are famous people named Joan?
Joan of Arc; Joan Baez, singer; Joan Didion, writer; Joan Crawford, actress.