Girl · 10th of 9,204
Joan
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
488,485
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1932
Peak Popularity Year
21,132
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Joan stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Joan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'God is gracious.' It evolved from Yochanan in Hebrew to Johanne in Old French and then to Joan in Middle English. The name is associated with strong historical figures, particularly Joan of Arc, and carries a classic image in modern times. There is no direct biblical reference, but its meaning reflects a divine favor.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/dʒoʊn/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Joan is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, which means 'God is gracious.' It was introduced to English-speaking countries through the Old French name Johanne.
Meaning
God is gracious
Language Evolution
Yochanan (Hebrew), Johanne (Old French), Joan (Middle English)
Historical Usage
Joan gained popularity in medieval Europe, particularly due to the influence of Saint Joan of Arc in the 15th century, and has remained a common name since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Joanne, Joanna, Jane, Jo
Modern Popularity & Image
The name Joan is often perceived as classic and timeless, with connotations of strength and femininity, though it has seen fluctuating popularity in recent years.
Famous People
Joan of Arc, Joan Baez, Joan Collins, Joan Didion
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 21,132 peak births in 1932
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 14 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2078th of 7545 | 241 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 769th of 6773 | 1,206 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1508th of 7552 | 512 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2426th of 10718 | 253 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1994th of 16616 | 552 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1068th of 24088 | 2,536 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1109th of 23106 | 2,169 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 133rd of 9107 | 33,658 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 10th of 9204 | 269,691 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 47th of 12526 | 151,177 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 246th of 19264 | 18,556 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 722nd of 27321 | 4,338 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1931st of 35406 | 1,604 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1681st of 30306 | 1,547 |