Unisex name · Hebrew
Joan
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: God is graciousJoan is a gender-neutral name that comes from Hebrew and means "God is gracious". It is used in English, Scottish and Spanish.
- Meaning
- God is gracious
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Gender
- Unisex
- US rank
- #1087 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Joan
As a girl's name, Joan comes from Hebrew and means "God is gracious". It is used in English and Scottish.
As a boy's name, Joan comes from Hebrew and means "God is gracious". It is used in Spanish.
In Spanish, say zhoo-AHN. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Joan on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Joan on 8 lists.
“After the teenage French heroine of Orléans, for a brave girl”
From Female cat names, strong female cat names
“Honors the brave Maid of Orleans”
From Girl dog names, strong female dog names
“God is gracious; Hebrew. Strong vintage classic”
From Girl middle names, one-syllable girl middle names
“God is gracious; Hebrew. The Maid of Orléans led French armies in 1429”
From Medieval names and surnames, medieval female names from England and France
“From Jehanne: God is gracious; a 15th-century Scottish queen.”
From Scottish girl names, scottish girl names from history
“God is gracious; Hebrew. A boy's name in Catalan; painter Miró. Say zhoo-AHN”
From Spanish boy names, catalan and Galician boy names
“God is gracious; Hebrew. Shared with the Maid of Orleans”
From Strong female names, goddess and legendary heroine names
“God is gracious; Hebrew. A top-ten favorite before 1950”
From Vintage girl names, 1930s to 1950s girl names
How popular is Joan?
In 2025, 222 girls and 232 boys in the US were named Joan.
As a girl’s name
- US rank in 2025
- #1,087
- 222 babies, 138 per million girls
- Best rank
- #5 in 1931
- Most babies: 21,044 in 1932
- Babies since 1880
- At least 481,238
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 92 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 120 per million |
| 1900s | 295 per million |
| 1910s | 861 per million |
| 1920s | 3,794 per million |
| 1930s | 16,265 per million |
| 1940s | 8,126 per million |
| 1950s | 4,428 per million |
| 1960s | 2,008 per million |
| 1970s | 419 per million |
| 1980s | 192 per million |
| 1990s | 103 per million |
| 2000s | 54 per million |
| 2010s | 54 per million |
| 2020s | 106 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,846 | #1,680 | #1,747 | #1,591 | #1,547 | #1,387 | #1,413 | #1,365 | #1,240 | #1,087 |
As a boy’s name
- US rank in 2025
- #987
- 232 babies, 136 per million boys
- Best rank
- #619 in 1935
- Most babies: 232 in 2025
- Babies since 1903
- At least 7,701
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 4 per million |
| 1910s | 11 per million |
| 1920s | 23 per million |
| 1930s | 74 per million |
| 1940s | 30 per million |
| 1950s | 14 per million |
| 1960s | 11 per million |
| 1970s | 8 per million |
| 1980s | 13 per million |
| 1990s | 32 per million |
| 2000s | 90 per million |
| 2010s | 86 per million |
| 2020s | 117 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,052 | #1,117 | #1,104 | #1,175 | #1,135 | #1,112 | #1,088 | #1,079 | #1,016 | #987 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Joan
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- ElchananGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- EoinGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- EvanGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- GiannaGod is gracious (Hebrew, girl)
- GianniGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- GiannisGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- GiovannaGod is gracious (Hebrew, girl)
- GiovanniGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- HannesGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- HansGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- IainGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- IanGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
Names spelled like Joan
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- JanGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- JeanGod is gracious (Hebrew, girl)
- JohanGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- JianHealthy, strong; to build (depends on characters) (Chinese, boy)
- JoabYahweh is father (Hebrew, boy)
- JoanaGod is gracious (Hebrew, girl)
- JoãoGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- JoarHorse warrior (Old Norse, boy)
- JohnGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- MilanGracious, dear; a short form of Slavic Mil- names (Slavic, unisex)
- MilaGracious, dear (Slavic, girl)
- JackGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- JanaGod is gracious (Hebrew, girl)
- JohannaGod is gracious (Hebrew, girl)
- JohannesGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- MilenaGracious, dear (Slavic, girl)
- GiaPet form of Gianna, God is gracious (Hebrew, girl)
- IbanGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- JanetGod is gracious (Hebrew, girl)
Middle names for Joan
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More names from Hebrew
- AdamMan, humankind (Hebrew, boy)
- DavidBeloved one (Hebrew, boy)
- AnnaFavor, grace (Hebrew, girl)
- DanielGod is my judge (Hebrew, boy)
- EvaLiving, life (Hebrew, girl)
- MiriamForm of Mary, meaning uncertain; perhaps Egyptian beloved (Hebrew, girl)
- NoahRest, repose (Hebrew, boy)
- SarahPrincess, noblewoman (Hebrew, girl)
- EliasMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, boy)
- GabrielGod is my strength (Hebrew, boy)
Joan: common questions
What does the name Joan mean?
Joan comes from Hebrew and means "God is gracious". It also has another origin: the same meaning in another language.
Is Joan a boy or girl name?
Joan is used for both boys and girls. In 2025, 222 girls and 232 boys in the US were named Joan, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Joan come from?
Joan comes from Hebrew and means "God is gracious". Today it is used in English, Scottish and Spanish.
How popular is the name Joan?
Joan ranked #1,087 in the US in 2025, with 222 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Joan?
Forms of Joan with the same meaning and origin include Elchanan (Hebrew), Eoin (Irish), Evan (English), Gianna (English) and Gianni (Italian).
What middle names go with Joan?
Middle names that flow well with Joan include Ambrose, Amelia, Anderson, Augustine and Brooks. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.