Of Hebrew and/or Greek origin.
English form of the Old French name Johanna.
From the masculine name John.
This was the feminine form of John in the Middle Ages, deriving from the Greek name “Ιωάννης”.
It is also the Catalan and Occitan form of the name Johannes, related to John.
Other forms of the name are Jane, Janis, Giovanna, Xoána, Gianna, Hanna, Jeanne, Joni, Jean, Seana, Joanna, Ivana.
Masculine forms of the name are John, Jon, Jan, Xoán, Giannis, Yanni, Yannis, Giovanni, Sean, Ivan, Juan, Jake, Evan, Ian, etc.
It is a name that, in various spellings, has been common among European royalty. Several queens bore the name, such as the queen of Naples and Castile.
Famous bearers are Joan of Arc, Joan Baez, Joan Fontaine, Joan Crawford, Joan Cusack, Joan Collins, Joan Jett, Joan Allen, Joan Rivers, Joan Plowright, Joan Sutherland.
Joan is popular in Catalonia and Spain.
American singer, songwriter Joan Jett is a figurehead for many generations of female rockers.
She is best known for her work with the band “Joan Jett and the Blackheads”. She has numerous hit songs, such as “I Love Rock’n’Roll”, “I Hate my Self for Loving you”, “Light of Day”, etc.