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Joanna

♀ Girl

Pronounced joh-AN-uh /dʒoʊˈænə/High

Meaning: God is gracious; Yahweh is graciousHigh

In 30 seconds: A graceful Greek-Hebrew name meaning 'God is gracious.' Joanna is the timeless, elegant feminine of John — serious without severity, classic without staleness, and quietly beautiful in a way that never demands attention.
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Origin HighHebrew, Greek
MeaningGod is gracious; Yahweh is gracious
U.S. rank (2025)#306 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births997 girls (0.06% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1984
Total births (all-time)≈ 111,753

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198418802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Joanna is the Latinised form of the Greek Ioannas, itself from the Hebrew Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן) meaning 'God is gracious.' Joanna appears in the Gospel of Luke as a follower of Jesus who provided for him from her own resources (Luke 8:3) and who was among the women who discovered the empty tomb. Her name shares its root with John, Joan, Jane, and Giovanni.

Joanna has been used continuously in the Christian world since antiquity. It peaked in the English-speaking world in the 1970s–1980s but has held steady as a dignified, literary choice. In the 21st century, it is being reconsidered as a quietly beautiful classic name with authentic historical depth.

Did you know? In the New Testament, Joanna appears as one of the women who accompanied Jesus and was among the first witnesses of the Resurrection (Luke 24:10) — making Joanna one of the most significant female names in Christian history.
Overall data confidence 97%
Behind the Name — Joanna — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

JoanJohannaJowanna

Nicknames

JoJoaAnnie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Joanna (New Testament) (c. 1st century CE)
    Follower of Jesus mentioned in Luke 8:3 and 24:10; one of the first witnesses of the Resurrection.

If you like Joanna…

Jane— the single-syllable English form of the same Hebrew Yochanan grace-meaning
Claire— French classic with the same quiet, understated elegance and literary heritage
Eleanor— medieval classic with the same dignified, timeless feminine strength
Susanna— Hebrew name from the same biblical generation with the same graceful biblical warmth

Frequently Asked

What does the name Joanna mean?

Joanna is a Greek-Latin form of the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious' — the feminine equivalent of John.

How do you pronounce Joanna?

It is said joh-AN-uh /dʒoʊˈænə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Joanna a boy or girl name?

Joanna is used almost exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Joanna?

Joanna has held a steady position in the U.S. top 300 for girls and remains widely used globally.