Re: Joan
in reply to a message by solveig
Joan has an ancient history of usage---it was popular in the Middle Ages. Then it was supplanted by Jane and eventually was considered dead. Think about it---when have you ever read about or heard of a nineteenth century Joan? Then unexpectedly, in the twentieth century, it came roaring back. Who can say why? One of the fascinating things about names, these inexplicable surges in popularity. But I think the rising-from-the-dead-status takes Joan out of the classic category. Classic names have been consistently used.
Replies
It was consistently in use in the UK, although nowhere near as popular as it got around the turn of the 20th century.