Joanna

God is gracious — a girl name of Greek origin

GenderGirl
OriginGreek
MeaningGod is gracious
Pronunciationjoh-AN-uh

Popularity of Joanna in the United States

#306Rank in 2025
997Births in 2025
#88 in 1984Peak Popularity
↓ Declining10-Year Trend

Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Meaning & Origin of Joanna

Joanna is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ioanna, the feminine of Ioannes, ultimately from the Hebrew "Yochanan" meaning "God is gracious." In the New Testament, Joanna was one of the women who accompanied Jesus and the apostles, and she was among the first to discover the empty tomb. The name has been widely used across Christian cultures since the medieval period. It combines classical elegance with warmth and accessibility, occupying a graceful middle ground between the simpler Joan and the more elaborate Johanna.

Joanna Around the World

Joanna is used in 2 languages worldwide, with 22+ international variants.

Languages
PolishDutch
Details

Male FormJan

International Variants
HanneloreDutch
JohanneFrench
JanaDutch
SiobhánIrish
JohannaGerman
JoanneDutch
JennaDutch
JoanEnglish
JoanaPortuguese
Ioanna
JannaDutch
YanaEnglish
HannieDutch
Johana
JóhannaIcelandic
Iohanna
SiwanWelsh
Hannelis
JoAnna
Jo Anna
Jo-Anna
Yoanna

Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.

Nicknames for Joanna

JoAnnieJojoAnna

Famous People Named Joanna

  • Joanna Lumley — British actress
  • Joanna Gaines — American television personality and designer
  • Joanna Newsom — American singer-songwriter and harpist

Similar Names to Joanna

If you like Joanna, you might also consider these names with a similar feel.

Also consider:SusannaDiana

Sibling Name Ideas for Joanna

Looking for names that pair well with Joanna? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Joanna mean?

Joanna is a girl name of Greek origin meaning "God is gracious." Joanna is the Latinized form of the Greek name Ioanna, the feminine of Ioannes, ultimately from the Hebrew "Yochanan" meaning "God is gracious." In the New Testament, Joanna was one of the women who accompanied Jesus and the apostles, and she was among the first to discover the empty tomb.

How do you pronounce Joanna?

Joanna is pronounced joh-AN-uh. Common variations include Johanna, Joanne, Jovana.

Is Joanna a girl name?

Yes, Joanna is traditionally a girl name. Popular nicknames include Jo, Annie, Jojo, Anna.

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