Origin and Meaning of Joan

God is gracious

Origin: Hebrew - Derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, which means 'God is gracious'. The name was Latinized to Ioanna and then adapted into English as Joan.

• Joan has been a popular name throughout history, especially in England and France, often associated with nobility and saints.
• The name Joan has variations in different cultures, including Johanna (German), Gianna (Italian), and Juanita (Spanish).
• Notable bearers of the name include Joan of Arc, a national heroine of France, and Joan Crawford, an iconic American actress.
• Joan was most popular in the early to mid-20th century, especially in English-speaking countries, but has seen a decline in recent decades.
• Related names include Joanna, Joanita, and other variations influenced by different languages and cultures.