Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Johanna
GirlGerman, Latin· “Yahweh is gracious”
- Meaning
- Yahweh is gracious
- Origin
- German, Latin
- Pronunciation
- joh-HA-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #871
- US babies 2025
- 309
- Best rank
- #180 (1883)
- Peak year
- 1984
Meaning and origin of Johanna
Johanna is a German and Latin name that means “Yahweh is gracious”.
Johanna is the Latin and German feminine form of Johannes, the Latin form of John, which comes from the Hebrew Yochanan, "Yahweh is gracious". A woman named Joanna appears in the Gospel of Luke among the followers of Jesus, and the name has been common in German-speaking and Scandinavian countries for centuries. Johanna Spyri, the Swiss author of Heidi, is a well-known bearer. In English the name feels classic and slightly continental. Jo, Hanna and Jojo are friendly nicknames, and Joanna, Joanne and Giovanna are related forms.
Popularity over time
Johanna has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #180 in 1883, and the most babies received it in 1984, when 919 were named Johanna. In 2025, 309 babies were named Johanna, and it ranked #871 nationally. That is 46% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #382 in 1920, #529 in 1950, #286 in 1980, #468 in 2000, #440 in 2010, and #871 in 2025. Of the 54,247 US girls named Johanna since records began, 15% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 6,790 babies. Since 2010, 8,056 more have been named Johanna.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Tabatha, Taryn, Hollie, Trista, and Adrianne.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Johanna ranked highest in Nebraska, Nevada, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | #362 | 6 |
| Nevada | #467 | 6 |
| Connecticut | #506 | 6 |
| Kentucky | #609 | 7 |
| Iowa | #616 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Johanna is usually pronounced joh-HA-nuh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with J and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Johanna
A few middle names that flow with Johanna: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Johanna
Similar names
Joanna Girl
joh-AN-uh
“God is gracious” · Latin
#306
Vienna Girl
vee-EH-nuh
“the capital of Austria” · Latin
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Johana Girl
joh-HAN-uh
“God is gracious” · Spanish
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Julianna Girl
joo-lee-AN-uh
“from Julius, possibly 'youthful'” · Latin
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Adrianna Girl
ay-dree-AN-uh
“from Hadria” · Latin
#872
Sabrina Girl
suh-BREE-nuh
“from the Latin name of the River Severn” · Latin
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Christina Girl
krihs-TEE-nuh
“follower of Christ” · Latin
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Serena Girl
suh-REE-nuh
“calm, serene” · Latin
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Regina Girl
rih-JEE-nuh
“queen” · Latin
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Marina Girl
muh-REE-nuh
“of the sea” · Latin
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Celina Girl
suh-LEE-nuh
“uncertain; possibly heavenly” · Latin
#829
Mariah Girl
muh-RY-uh
“form of Maria, meaning uncertain” · Hebrew
#448
Lists that include Johanna
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Johanna mean?
Johanna is a German and Latin name that means “Yahweh is gracious”.
What is the origin of the name Johanna?
Johanna has German, Latin, and Hebrew roots. Johanna is the Latin and German feminine form of Johannes, the Latin form of John, which comes from the Hebrew Yochanan, "Yahweh is gracious".
Is Johanna a popular name?
Yes. Johanna ranked #871 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Johanna a boy or girl name?
Johanna is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Johanna?
Johanna is usually pronounced joh-HA-nuh. 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