Joan

Joan is a given name primarily used for women in English-speaking countries. It derives from the medieval French Jehanne and the Latin Ioannes, which in turn comes from the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious." Over time, Jehanne evolved into Joan in English, with later variants including Joanne, Joann, Joanie, and Jo-Anne. In Catalan, the male form is Joan; in Spanish, Juana is the female form and Juan is male. The name has been borne by saints and cultural figures, contributing to its long-standing familiarity.

Notable people named Joan include Saint Joan of Arc (1412–1431), a French heroine and Catholic saint who led French troops during the Hundred Years' War. In modern times, figures such as author Joan Didion, comedian Joan Rivers, singer Joan Baez, actress Joan Collins, and musician Joan Jett have contributed to the name's visibility. The name also appears in fiction, for example Joan Holloway, a character in Mad Men, and Dr. Joan Watson in the television series Elementary.

Beyond individuals, the name has appeared in literature, film, and music, and has various diminutives, such as Jo, Joanie, and Jo. The name Joan remains common in many English-speaking cultures, though usage varies by region and era.