Joanna is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew name "Yochanan," which means "God is gracious." The name has been used throughout history and has been associated with several notable figures.
The name Joanna first appears in the New Testament of the Bible, where she is described as one of Jesus' female followers who accompanied him during his ministry. She was also present at his crucifixion and resurrection, making her an important figure in early Christianity.
Throughout history, there have been many women named Joanna who have made significant contributions to various fields. Some notable examples include:
* Saint Joan of Arc (1412-1431), a French heroine who led the French army against English occupation during the Hundred Years' War.
* Joanna Hiffernan (1843-1905), an Irish artist's model and muse who was the inspiration for several of Whistler's paintings, including his famous work "Arrangement in Flesh Color: The Peacock Room."
* Joanna Russ (1937-2011), an American feminist science fiction writer known for her critical essays on gender and sf as well as her novels, short stories, and poems.
Today, Joanna remains a popular given name among English-speaking countries. It is often used as a standalone name but can also be paired with other names to create combinations such as Joanna Louise or Joanna Catherine. Overall, the name Joanna has a strong historical background and has been associated with many notable figures throughout history.
The name Joanna has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the years in the United States. In the late 1800s, it was relatively uncommon, with fewer than 40 births per year between 1880 and 1892. However, starting from 1893, there was a notable increase in its popularity, with over 36 births per year until 1895.
The early 1900s marked a significant turning point for the name Joanna. There were over 40 births each year between 1900 and 1912, peaking at 73 births in 1912. This trend continued into the 1910s, with the highest number of births occurring in 1915, with 147 births.
However, the popularity of the name Joanna began to decline after World War I. Between 1916 and 1923, there were fewer than 200 births per year on average. This trend continued until the late 1920s when the popularity started to pick up again, with over 200 births per year between 1928 and 1932.
The 1940s and 1950s saw a steady increase in the popularity of the name Joanna. There were over 400 births each year between 1942 and 1957, with a peak of 665 births in 1959.
The 1960s and 1970s marked another significant rise in the popularity of the name Joanna. There were over 800 births each year between 1963 and 1979, with a peak of 2,120 births in 1983.
However, the popularity of the name Joanna started to decline again after the mid-1980s. Between 1986 and 1995, there were fewer than 1,500 births per year on average. This trend continued until the late 1990s when the popularity started to pick up again.
The early 2000s saw a resurgence in the popularity of the name Joanna. There were over 1,000 births each year between 2000 and 2007, with a peak of 1,392 births in 2007. However, the popularity started to decline again after the late 2000s.
In recent years, the name Joanna has seen a modest level of popularity. Between 2016 and 2022, there were between 900 and 1,350 births per year on average. Overall, the name Joanna has been given to approximately 109,799 babies in the United States since 1880.