girls' name · peaked 1984

Joanna

From Latin Joanna, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh, literally “God is gracious”), the feminized form of יְהוֹחָנָן (Yəhōḥānān) which…

Every Joanna since 1880 — 112,067 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.631.251.882.518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#306
among girls
Babies in 2025
997
named Joanna
Peak year
1984
3,353 babies
All-time total
112,067
since 1880

The story of Joanna

Joanna is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #306 in 2025 with 997 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 112,067 American babies have been named Joanna. Its peak came in 1984, when 3,353 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Joanna stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Joanna year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 997 #306
2024 945 #329
2023 918 #339
2022 1,002 #321
2021 1,101 #291
2020 1,176 #256
2019 1,281 #254
2018 1,454 #213
2017 1,352 #235
2016 1,274 #248
2015 1,065 #306
2014 1,022 #325 5 #12,983
2013 945 #343
2012 974 #323
2011 976 #323
2010 1,066 #305
2009 1,106 #302 5 #13,384
2008 1,194 #283
2007 1,392 #252
2006 1,289 #256
2005 1,167 #284
2004 1,280 #251 8 #8,502
2003 1,303 #252 6 #10,178
2002 1,335 #239
2001 1,555 #206 5 #11,392
2000 1,349 #238
1995 1,597 #185 8 #6,658
1990 2,230 #138 11 #4,830
1985 2,772 #99 23 #2,325
1980 1,725 #163 8 #4,709
1975 1,699 #158 6 #5,099
1970 1,331 #236 5 #5,073
1965 910 #293
1960 820 #329
1955 455 #414
1950 478 #364
1945 426 #333
1940 412 #314
1935 424 #293
1930 359 #351
1925 236 #452
1920 167 #554
1915 147 #516
1910 49 #596
1905 41 #539
1900 37 #573
1895 29 #551
1890 33 #454
1885 40 #322
1880 26 #313

Famous people named Joanna

  1. Joanna of Castile Politician · 1479–1555
  2. Joanna I of Naples Nobleman · 1326–1382
  3. Joanna of Bourbon Companion · 1338–1378
  4. Joanna of Austria, Princess of Portugal Nobleman · 1535–1573
  5. Joanna la Beltraneja Companion · 1462–1530

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Joanna mean?

From Latin Joanna, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh, literally “God is gracious”), the feminized form of יְהוֹחָנָן (Yəhōḥānān) which produced John and its many doublets.

How popular is the name Joanna in 2025?

Joanna ranked #306 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 997 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Joanna?

112,067 babies have been named Joanna in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Joanna most popular?

Joanna peaked in 1984, when 3,353 newborns received the name.

Is Joanna a boy or girl name?

Joanna is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Joanna rising or falling?

Joanna has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Joanna?

Well-known people named Joanna include Joanna of Castile (politician), Joanna I of Naples (nobleman), Joanna of Bourbon (companion).

Names like Joanna

Compare Joanna with similar names →