Joni
Joni is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God is gracious, or gift of Yahweh.
Origin and history
Joni is a diminutive form of John or Jonathan, derived from Hebrew roots meaning 'Yahweh is gracious' or 'gift of Yahweh'. While more frequently encountered as a female name in the U.S. (often associated with Joni Mitchell), it also sees steady, modest usage as a male name. Historically, it has served as a unisex variant or short form across English-speaking regions.
Popularity in the United States
687 babies in the United States have been named Joni since 1880. It ranks #3989 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1857.
States where it is most popular
- OH (100 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 5 |
| 1950-1960 | 44 |
| 1960-1970 | 59 |
| 1970-1980 | 69 |
| 1980-1990 | 65 |
| 1990-2000 | 114 |
| 2000-2010 | 133 |
| 2010-2019 | 128 |
| 2020-2029 | 70 |
Famous people named Joni
- Joni Pitkänen: Hockey player, Athlete
- Joni Nyman: Boxer, Athlete
Fun facts
- Although popularized for females by figures like Joni Mitchell, Joni originated as a diminutival variant for both John and Joan.
- In Finland, Joni is an established masculine full given name derived from John (Juhani).