Ioanna is a feminine Greek name derived from the male name Ioannes or Johannes, which ultimately comes from the Hebrew name Yochanan. The name means "God is gracious" or "God has been merciful."
The name Ioanna has been used in Greece since ancient times and was popular among early Christians who adopted names with religious significance. It is believed that this name was chosen for Saint Ioanna, a companion of John the Baptist whose feast day is celebrated on May 27th.
Throughout history, several notable figures have carried this name. One example is Ioanna Komnene, a Byzantine princess and historian who lived in the 11th century. She wrote an autobiographical work called "The Alexiad," which chronicles the reign of her father, Emperor Alexios I Komnenos.
In literature, Ioanna appears as a character in the novel "Doctor Zhivago" by Boris Pasternak. The protagonist, Yuri Zhivago, has an affair with a woman named Lara, whose full name is Ioanna Larissa Antiipova.
Today, Ioanna remains popular among Greek families and has gained international recognition due to its unique sound and rich history. It is often spelled in various ways such as Ioanna, Joanna, or Joan, but regardless of the spelling, this beautiful name continues to represent grace and mercy.
The name Ioanna experienced fluctuations over the years with several peaks and valleys. The highest number of births occurred in 2022 with 17 children named Ioanna being born that year. On the other hand, some years saw only a handful of births, such as 1984 and 1991 with just 5 births each. Overall, from 1972 to 2022, there were a total of 559 babies named Ioanna born in those years combined.