Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Joan
UnisexEnglish, Hebrew· “God is gracious”
- Meaning
- God is gracious
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JOHN
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #987
- US babies 2025
- 232
- Best rank
- #619 (1935)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Joan
Joan is an English and Hebrew name that means “God is gracious”.
Joan is a medieval English form of the Old French Jehanne, the feminine of Jehan, which goes back to the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning God is gracious. Joan of Arc, the French heroine who led troops during the Hundred Years' War and was later canonized, is the most famous bearer. Several English and Scottish royals, including Joan of England, Queen of Scotland, were named Joan. The name was common in the United States in the early twentieth century, carried by actress Joan Crawford and singer Joan Baez. In Catalan, Joan is a masculine name meaning John.
Other spellings with the same sound: Jone.
Popularity over time
Joan first appears in US Social Security records in 1903. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 23 different years, starting in 1929. Its best national rank was #619 in 1935, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 232 were named Joan. In 2025, 232 babies were named Joan, and it ranked #987 nationally. That is 36% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,094 in 1920, #1,378 in 1950, #2,670 in 1980, #912 in 2000, #1,198 in 2010, and #987 in 2025. Of the 7,701 US boys named Joan since records began, 23% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,625 babies. Since 2010, 2,835 more have been named Joan.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include True, Laramie, Jovi, Ripley, and Ren.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Joan ranked highest in Texas, Arizona, and Wisconsin.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #570 | 56 |
| Arizona | #697 | 9 |
| Wisconsin | #731 | 6 |
| Maryland | #758 | 6 |
| California | #780 | 33 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Joan is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 39% of US babies named Joan were girls and 61% were boys.
Joan is usually pronounced JOHN, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with J and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Jone.
Middle names for Joan
A few middle names that flow with Joan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Joan
Similar names
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Lists that include Joan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joan mean?
Joan is an English and Hebrew name that means “God is gracious”.
What is the origin of the name Joan?
Joan has English and Hebrew roots. Joan is a medieval English form of the Old French Jehanne, the feminine of Jehan, which goes back to the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning God is gracious.
Is Joan a popular name?
Yes. Joan ranked #987 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Joan a boy or girl name?
Joan is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 39% of US babies named Joan were girls and 61% were boys.
How do you pronounce Joan?
Joan is usually pronounced JOHN. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings