Joan
Joan is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God is gracious.
Origin and history
Joan is a classic English feminine name derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious'. It was widely popular in the mid-20th century, becoming a classic staple in the United States. Although its modern usage has declined, it remains a recognized traditional standard.
Popularity in the United States
481,238 babies in the United States have been named Joan since 1880. It ranks #65 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1185.
States where it is most popular
- NY (17.1 %)
- PA (10.1 %)
- IL (6.5 %)
- NJ (5.8 %)
- MA (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 121 |
| 1890-1900 | 267 |
| 1900-1910 | 863 |
| 1910-1920 | 7,021 |
| 1920-1930 | 45,351 |
| 1930-1940 | 173,439 |
| 1940-1950 | 117,708 |
| 1950-1960 | 85,179 |
| 1960-1970 | 36,676 |
| 1970-1980 | 6,480 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,300 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,858 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,003 |
| 2010-2019 | 941 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,031 |
Famous people named Joan
- Joan Crawford: Actress
- Joan Baez: Singer, Musician
- Joan Rivers: Comedian, Television Host
Nicknames
Jo, Joanie, Joni
Fun facts
- Joan of Arc is a medieval French heroine and canonized Catholic saint who led French troops during the Hundred Years' War.
- Joan was among the top 10 most popular girls' names in the United States throughout the 1930s.