Joan
Origin of the name Joan:
Contracted form of the French Johanne, which is a feminine form of John (God is gracious). The name's most famous bearer is perhaps Joan of Ark (1412 - 31), the young French saint and heroine claimed to be a soldier of God. Under her leadership, the French Army defeated the English at Orleans in 1429. She was eventually captured and sold to the English who burned her at the stake for witchcraft in 1431. She was canonized in 1920.
From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the bookDoes Joan sound...
Sibling Names for Joan...
Do you know any real life Joans?
What are their siblings named?
Reader Contributions
Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Joan!
- Comments and insights on the name Joan: | Edit
- Share what you know!
- Personal experiences with the name Joan: | Edit
My cousin named Joan is in her late 30s but goes by Joanne because she thinks Joan sounds too old lady-ish.
- Nicknames for Joan: | Edit
Joanie, Jo
- Meanings and history of the name Joan: | Edit
- Share what you know!
- Famous real-life people named Joan: | Edit
Joan of Arc, 15th-century military leader (Fr. Jeanne d'Arc)
Joan Armatrading, singer
Joan Baez, singer
Joan Collins, actress
Joan Crawford, actress
Joan Fontaine, actress
Joan Cusack, actress
Joan Allen, actress
Joan Rice, actress
Joan Plowright, actress
Joan Van Ark, actress
Joan Severance, actress
Joan Osborne, singer
Joan Jett, singer
Joan Sutherland, opera singer
Joan Bakewell, TV presenter
Joni Mitchell, folk singer
Joan Rivers, actress/comedienne- Joan in song, story & screen: | Edit
Joan Holloway, office manager in the AMC series "Mad Men"
Joan of Arcadia, US TV series
"Pope Joan" movie based on the legend of the rumoured female pope
NameVoyager US Popularity of Joan Over Time
NameMapper Current Popularity of Joan by State
Baby Name Wizard Store
Celebrate with personalized baby name products! Custom birth announcements, invitations, bibs, onesies & more.
Start Shopping

