Joan is a name of Spanish origin, meaning "God is gracious." It is derived from the Hebrew name Johanan, which means "Yahweh is gracious." The name has been used throughout history, with some notable figures including Joan of Arc, the French heroine who led her country against English occupation during the Hundred Years' War. In literature, there is also a character named Joan in Charlotte Brontë's novel "Jane Eyre." Today, Joan remains a popular choice for girls' names in many countries around the world.
"The name Joan has seen a significant increase in popularity since the mid-20th century, with over 65 births recorded annually from the late 1940s onwards. The peak occurred in 2002 and 2007, with 221 and 217 births respectively. However, there has been a steady decline since the mid-2010s, reaching a recent low of 165 births in 2019."