Joan
Joan is a Christian girl name of Hebrew, via Old French origin, meaning “God is gracious”.
| Meaning | God is gracious |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Hebrew, via Old French |
| Pronunciation | JOHN |
| Tradition | Christian |
| Used in | United Kingdom, United States, Ireland |
Meaning and origin of Joan
Joan is the medieval English form of the Old French Jehanne, the feminine of John, which goes back to the Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious'. It was one of the most popular girls' names in England in the Middle Ages. Saint Joan of Arc, the French peasant girl who led armies in the Hundred Years' War and was burned in 1431, is its most famous bearer.
Is Joan a Christian name?
Joan is a Christian name through Saint Joan of Arc and through its link to John. (In Catalan, Joan is also a man's name.)
How popular is Joan?
Very common among women born in the 1920s and 1930s; uncommon for babies today.
Gifts with the name Joan
- Joan name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Joan baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Joan
Names similar to Joan
More Christian girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joan mean?
Joan means 'God is gracious'. It is of Hebrew, via Old French origin.
Is Joan a Christian name?
Joan is a Christian name through Saint Joan of Arc and through its link to John. (In Catalan, Joan is also a man's name.)
How do you pronounce Joan?
Joan is pronounced JOHN.
Is Joan a boy or girl name?
Joan is usually a girl name.