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Home › Baby Names Directory › Ioana

Ioana

♀ Girl

Pronounced yoh-AH-nuh /joˈɑː.nə/Medium

Meaning: Ioana is the Romanian feminine of Ioan (John), from the Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'. It is a mainstream, long-established name in Romania and Moldova.Medium

In 30 seconds: A Romanian classic: Ioana is the local Joanna — 'God is gracious' (said 'yoh-AH-nuh').
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Origin MediumRomanian, Hebrew
MeaningIoana is the Romanian feminine of Ioan (John), from the Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'. It is a mainstream, long-established name in Romania and Moldova.
U.S. rank (2024)#14102 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2003
Total births (all-time)≈ 86

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200519932024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ioana is the Romanian feminine form of Ioan, the local John, from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'. It has been a standard name in Romania and Moldova for centuries and travels easily. Note the opening glide (said 'yoh-AH-nuh').

It is rare for girls in the U.S. and common in Romania. Classic, graceful, and rounded.

Did you know? Ioana is Romania's Joanna, the feminine of Ioan (John), and one of the country's steadiest classics. The Hebrew root behind it, Yochanan, means 'God is gracious' (said 'yoh-AH-nuh').
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Ioana — Romanian feminine of Ioan; Hebrew Yochanan 'God is gracious'

Variations

IoannaJoanaOana

Nicknames

OanaNanaAna

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ioana…

Joanna— the English form of the same name
Ioanna— the Greek cousin, near-identical
Ivana— a like Slavic classic in sound
Ivanna— the same biblical feel
Susanna— another Hebrew name

Explore names like Ioana

By themeclassicbiblicalinternationalromanian
By meaningGod / DivineGraceSea / Water

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ioana mean?

Ioana is the Romanian form of Joanna, from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'.

How do you pronounce Ioana?

It's said yoh-AH-nuh /joˈɑː.nə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Ioana a boy or girl name?

Ioana is used as a girl's name; the masculine form is Ioan.

How popular is Ioana?

Ioana is a rare name for girls in the U.S., but a common classic in Romania.

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