Comments
Meaning
Usage
Pronunciation
Famous
Impression
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I think Joan is a beautiful name. It is strong, classy, elegant, and it ages with gorgeous grace. I also love the fact that the name is shared with the heroic Joan of Arc. Overall, I think Joan is a wonderful name.
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A fictional bearer of this name is Joan from the mobile game Path to Nowhere, a strong-willed rocker and playable character who attacks with the sound from her guitar. Her name probably refers to Joan Jett.
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I was born in 1948 and was named Joan after the famous actress Joan Crawford. I have never liked my name. I am the oldest of three children and being the responsible child was definitely instilled in me at an early age. The name Joan has always sounded serious to me and has been a reminder to me that I have to be responsible. I remember when I was a child I went through a phase when I wanted to be named Wendy. That may have come from my interest in Peter Pan and the child Wendy who became his friend and part of his adventures. The name Wendy always seemed more carefree and happy to me than the name Joan. As an adult, I still dislike my name because it is old-fashioned and very few women have this name except those who are now old. At times throughout my life I've thought about changing my name, but I think that it might show dishonor to my parents who gave me life and who chose the name Joan for me.
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I think that this name sounds very strong! I love the name Joan and find it very gorgeous.
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Joan Armatrading, CBE (/ˈɑːrməˌtreɪdɪŋ/) is a Kittitian-English singer-songwriter and guitarist.
A three-time Grammy Award nominee, Armatrading has also been nominated twice for BRIT Awards as Best Female Artist. She received an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection in 1996.
In a recording career spanning nearly 50 years, Armatrading has released 20 studio albums, as well as several live albums and compilations.
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A three-time Grammy Award nominee, Armatrading has also been nominated twice for BRIT Awards as Best Female Artist. She received an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection in 1996.
In a recording career spanning nearly 50 years, Armatrading has released 20 studio albums, as well as several live albums and compilations.
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Joan Merriam Smith (born Joan Merriam; 1936 – 1965) was an American aviator, famous for her 1964 solo flight around the world, in which she became the second woman to complete the trip, by following the equatorial route attempted in 1937 by Amelia Earhart. (Jerrie Mock set off the same week on a different route, and finished before Smith did.) In doing so she also became the first woman to fly a twin-engine aircraft around the world, and the first woman to fly the Pacific Ocean from west to east in a twin-engine plane.
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I didn't used to like this name because I thought it sounded old and frumpy. Then I discovered Joan As Police Woman and my view has completely changed, now it feels strong and vintage.
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Joan Shakespeare (baptised 15 April 1569 – buried 4 November 1646) was the sister of William Shakespeare. She is the only member of the family whose known descendants continue down to the present day.
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Joan Lin Feng-jiao is a former Taiwanese actress. She is married to Hong Kong-born Chinese martial artist Jackie Chan.
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Joan Walton, OAM, (née Brewer; 1928 – 2017), better known as Jaye Walton, was an Australian media and journalism personality. She was a businesswoman, television personality and producer, and magazine publisher. Walton was the first South Australian woman to produce and host a television show, which by 1979 was the state's longest running show, was the first publisher of SA magazine, a documentary film maker, and raised awareness and funds for children's health and welfare charities in Australia and Thailand.
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The Joan of Arc association makes this name infinitely more appealing to me.
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Joan is totally chic.
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I don't dislike this name, but have some difficulty with it, because it sounds too close to John. If I had a daughter named Joan and a son named John, I'd be confused. I love the French version, Jeanne, which is how St. Joan of Arc is called in her native country. Instead of Joan, I'd choose Joanna.
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In the Philippines I heard another pronounciation, Jo-ahn.
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The wonderful actress Joan Fontaine starred in Rebecca (1940), Suspicion (1941), Kiss The Blood Of My Hands (1948), and The Bigamist (1953).
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We just named our daughter Joan Rita, after my grandmother who was born in the 40s. We all call her Joanie. Honestly we chose it BECAUSE I never met a little girl with the name, only much older women. I hope the popularity stays down so DD can go by it. As a Katlyn, I'm always one of many and forced to go by my surname in workplaces.
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Joan Jett!
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Joan of Arc makes this such a cool name. I wish the associations weren't so negative and outdated. Maybe one day it'll make a comeback. Sounds a bit odd on a young child but I think it's quite charming on a teen or grown woman. Joan Jett is another example of a cool bearer.
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It's not really a bad name. The truth is that I am Spanish and in Catalan Joan is a fairly common boy's name, which is like John's version. I have had several teachers named like that, so I see it as too masculine a name to give to a girl, no offense. Maybe Joanne or Joanna, but Joan just doesn't appeal to me. Anyway, it is just a mere opinion.
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Good name. Classic, quality, simple and feminine. Joan is good name, not much popularity in these days, so became quite rare. Nice name!
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No thanks Joan, GO AWAY! This hurts my eyes, unattractive, outdated and I just don't like it.
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This is a simple but nice, solid name for a woman. It makes me think of Joan Jett which is a positive association to me. :)
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This would make a nice middle name.
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I don't like it, but that might have something to do with the fact that I had a Grandmother called Joan that was horrible and didn't love me at all.
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It sounds better when it’s pronounced like Joanne.
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It is masculine. Jeanne is the real name of Joan of Arc. She might have used this one when she pretended that she was male.
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In regards to masculine use in other languages, the pronunciation is different. No one would reasonably think that someone named Joan - one syllable, with a long O sound - is a man. Especially not if she also went by Joanie / Joni.
That aside, Joan was one of the most common English feminine names in the Middle Ages (with French counterpart Jeanne commonly used in France, as well). Joan is a true classic that somehow fell out of use, its popularity dipping severely in the 70s. (Jane has endured for longer in the U.S., but never spiked in popularity like Joan did.) The falling to the wayside bit is strange, because Joan really is a cool name, and I like Joanie. However, while I vacillate between preferring Jane or Joan, I find I prefer Joanna to both.
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That aside, Joan was one of the most common English feminine names in the Middle Ages (with French counterpart Jeanne commonly used in France, as well). Joan is a true classic that somehow fell out of use, its popularity dipping severely in the 70s. (Jane has endured for longer in the U.S., but never spiked in popularity like Joan did.) The falling to the wayside bit is strange, because Joan really is a cool name, and I like Joanie. However, while I vacillate between preferring Jane or Joan, I find I prefer Joanna to both.
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Joan Naomi Benny, daughter of Jack and Mary (Livingstone) Benny.
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I don’t get why I don’t see more young girls named Joan, it’s a very pretty name! The nickname Joanie is nice too.
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Joan Cusack is a voice actress, and one of her most notable roles is Jessie, a character introduced in Toy Story 2, a major character in both Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 and the protagonist of Toy Story of Terror!.
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In my opinion, this name is a bit dated like Nancy or Pamela. I do still marvel at its inherent strength and regality, thanks to Joan of Arc.
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It’s weird how nobody notices it’s exclusively masculine in other territories. I really don’t like this name for a boy though! I only love it as a girl’s name and it’s beautiful for that gender! Joan is a beautiful and classy name and it will age well on girls. There are a lot of classy names I love and Joan is one of them. Of course people are going to get the idea that this name is kind of overused!
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My grandmother’s name is Joan, and I honestly really like it. Coming from someone named Olivia, names that are not used so often like Joan are refreshing. There is also Joan of Arc who was a strong, brave leader. Most of the nicknames for Joan are really cute.
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I love the name Joan I think it is a strong beautiful name. A more feminine alternative is Joana or Joanna, both of which I like as well. (Anna from Once Upon a Time made me fall in love with Joan).
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I find it funny how many people mention Jehanne here and apparently like this name because of her. It's not like her actual name was Joan. This name doesn't really have anything to do with her. It is just an English translation of the name she happened to have. Not only that, but this translation is not even that accurate. Jane would have been a much better one.
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The name is good, but the O and then the A kinda makes a weird sound.
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This name sounds harsh and masculine. I don't like it.
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Joan Marie Laurer, also known by her ring name Chyna, was an American professional wrestler, glamour model, pornographic film actress, and bodybuilder. Chyna first rose to prominence in the World Wrestling Federation in 1997, where she was billed as the "Ninth Wonder of the World". A founding member of the stable D-Generation X as the promotion's first female enforcer, she held the WWF Intercontinental Championship twice and the WWF Women's Championship once. She was also the first woman to participate in the Royal Rumble and King of the Ring events, as well as to become number one contender to the WWF Championship. With singles victories over several prominent male wrestlers – including multiple-time world champions Triple H, Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, and Jeff Jarrett – Chyna left what WWE called "a lasting legacy as the most dominant female competitor of all time". After leaving the WWF in 2001, Chyna wrestled sporadically, with New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2002 and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2011. This was her final appearance in a wrestling ring.
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Joan Smalls Rodríguez is a Puerto Rican fashion model. In 2013, she ranked at #8 on Forbes magazine's "World's Highest-Paid Models" list. In 2011, she became the first Latina model to represent Estée Lauder cosmetics. In January 2014, Smalls appeared on the "Return of the Supermodel" cover of American Elle.
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I really like this name. It is classic and strong. It isn't really popular right now, which makes it unique even though it is a fairly simple name. I would highly consider this name for a daughter (except I have a friend with this name and can't break the association).
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The name Joan was given to 99 girls born in the US in 2015.
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I named my daughter Joan in 2011. I adore her name. It was a family name for me, but more than that I view it as classic and strong, and particularly useful when dealing with a long last name. She is 50/50 Joan and Joanie, though I almost always call her Joan. I could not be happier with her name.
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I'm hoping Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks) from Madmen can help revive this name! It took a while to grow on me, and now I wish I would see more kids being named Joan. :) My best friend's mom is Joan and she's the sweetest.
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Joan Staley (born Joan Lynette McConchie) (Born: May 20, 1940), an American actress.
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Joan Rivers, 1933-2014 :(
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My name is Joan. Yes, this is a teenager commenting. Joan isn't that bad at all. From my life experiences, I did get some teasing but I didn't really care. What bothers me the most is how people think this name is ugly. It isn't. It's quite elegant and mature actually. It's different from those girly names, which are often modern nowadays. I usually use all the other famous people with the same name as an inspiration. Joan of Arc being brave, Joan Jett as a singer and Joan Rivers as a comedian. I must admit though they all fit into my personality equally. Living with the name is awesome, unique.
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Joan Bennett (1910-1990) was an American actress.
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Queen Juana I of Navarre (1273-1305), anglicized as Joan, whom the French called Jeanne Reyne de Navarre when she was the Queen Consort of France.
The entry has no Spanish/Mexican alternative, Juana would be it.
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The entry has no Spanish/Mexican alternative, Juana would be it.
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Considered quite dated in the US, the name Joan has dropped out of popularity in recent years. It was only given to 78 baby girls here born in 2012.
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Joan the Wad is a character in Cornish folklore - queen of the pixies - and thus a traditional souvenir from Cornish gift shops.
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I like this name. I think it is simple and sweet.
Joan is also the name of one of the main characters in Mona Lisa Smile.
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Joan is also the name of one of the main characters in Mona Lisa Smile.
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Joan was the second daughter of King Edward I and his wife Eleanor of Castile.
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Joan was also the name of the fifth daughter of King Edward I of England and his wife Eleanor of Castile.
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Joan was the name of the daughter of King Edward III of England and his wife Philippa of Hainaut.
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Joan was the youngest child of Edward II of England and his wife Isabelle of France. She was married to King David II of Scotland. She is also known as "Joan of the Tower".
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Joan of England (1210-1238) was the oldest daughter of King John "Lackland" and his wife Isabelle. She married Alexander, King of Scots.
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Joan of England (1165-1199), daughter of King Henry II of England and his wife Eleonore of Aquitaine. By her first marriage she was Queen of Sicily.
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This is my mother's name; if I have a girl of my own one day, I'm naming her Joan. It's short, simple, and nice. :)
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Oh! So many Joans! I love that name! :) Remember the Popess Joan, a female pontifice. And Joan the Mad, the queen of Spain. And aside from Saint Joan of Arc is also the other French saint Saint Joan (Jeanne) Fremiot of Chantal. And too, a Mexican nun-writer, Sister Joan Agnes of the Cross (Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz). Really, I love the name Joan!
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Joan Jett of the American rock group Joan Jett and the Blackhearts is a famous bearer of this name.
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My friend has this name, and I've always liked it. She pronounced it more like 'own' with a 'j' on the front.
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Joan Sutherland -famous Australian soprano.
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I probably wouldn't like this name if not for the saint; it's very austere. My love for her makes me like this name, although if I ever had a child and wanted to name it for her, I would go with Jeanne instead.
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My name is Giovanna, which is another feminine version of John. I go by Gianna, but if I had to go by a more Anglicized version, I think that Joan would be nice. It's close to my real name, sweet sounding and not too common.
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I like this name because of Joan of Arc, but it also makes me think of mean women. In particular, I think of Joan Crawford, who treated her children pretty badly.
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This name can be both sexy (Joan Crawford) and boring. Joanie is a cute nick name, but too often people rhyme the name Joan with bone.
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It sounds like a boys name, I never really liked it for a girl or a boy though. To gruff, and stiff, someone who can't laugh. I have always admired Joan of Ark though.
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For some reason, this name makes me think of mean, arrogant women, and regardless of their age, they're always brunettes in my imagination. I'm not sure if Mommie Dearest has given me this sort of association, but that's the type of image that pops into my head. The name isn't ugly or anything, but it is quite dull.
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My mother was born in 1904 and completed school in the 6th grade. She and my father (born 1900) always pronounced my middle name, Joan, as "JoAnn." (The emphasis was on the "An.")
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Academy Award-winning Joan Fontaine, actress born in 1917, is a famous bearer of this name.
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Famous bearer: Actress Joan Crawford (1904-1977), who was born Lucille Faye LeSeur.
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My name is Joan and I love it! I just hate that people are constantly calling me Joann, you would think a name that is so old and well-known that people would know how to pronounce it.
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My confirmation name. Since I'm English, and Joan of Arc is my favorite saint, I took the English form of Jeanne d'Arc.
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I love this name. I plan on naming my daughter this if I ever have one. I have always admired Saint Joan of Arc and I find it a very beautiful name. It's also short so if I marry someone with a long last name it won't be an issue.
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Joan Baez helped start Bob Dylan's career, they also dated for a short time. he ended the romance during his 1965 tour.
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Joan of Arc was a famous bearer.
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Famous bearer: Joan of Arcadia, the CBS television show--and its title character.
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I know someone called JoAn, which probably is a mixture oh Jo and An. Also spelled Joanne, Joann.
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My middle name is Joan. I think it is an extremely pretty name. Middle or first.
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Joan, or Joanna, is Katy's youngest sister in the book "What Katy Did".
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My grandparents think Joan is pronounced Jo-ann. I say if it's pronounced that way, it's Joanne/Jo-Ann, etc.
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This name isn't pronounced JON, it's pronounced JOWN, "O" as in "Older".
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I've grown to like the name, but it took about 30 years. I think I've grown into it. It was a name that was very popular when my mother was a teenager, and not very popular at all when I was growing up.
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I like this name, Joan. It sounds short and to the point.
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Personally, I don't think this name is very pretty. Its Gaelic and Welsh incarnates "Siobhán" (Gaelic) and "Siwan" (Welsh) are beautiful to me!
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Joan is the feminine of the biblical name John and means Gift from God. It is also noted as Shona, which is also known as Jane in Irish which is also the feminine of John.
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Joan doesn't mean "Gift from God". It means "God is gracious" from John (Yahweh=God). Joan of Arc is called Jeanne d'Arc in France.
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