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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Joan — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Joali|Joana
Celtic◈ Unisex · 54% boy · 46% girl↑ Rising

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Joan

◈

JOH-an · 2 syllables

Share Joan:
Compare with another name
Boy
#1013
↑ Rising
Boy
#1013
Popularity score: 30
↑ Rising
Peak
#1013 in 2024
5yr
+66 ranks
Velocity
+66
Birth frequency
6.1 per 100,000 births
Girl
#1238
Popularity score: 28
↑↑ Surging
Peak
#1238 in 2024
5yr
+127 ranks
Velocity
+127
Birth frequency
5.2 per 100,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #1013 · Rising since 2020

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Celtic boy names
Joan

Popularity score: 30  ·  SSA Rank: #1013

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #1238 · Rising since 2020

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
Celtic girl names
Joan

Popularity score: 28  ·  SSA Rank: #1238

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
91
Higher than 91% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↑ Rising
+66 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
80
2 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Joan hits the uniqueness sweet spot.

Meaning Depth37% of score
60
Name Trend28% of score
74
Uniqueness20% of score
80
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
CelticIrishReligiousClassicUnisex2-syllableNature-friendlyVintageGrounded
Character
god is gracious
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Joans

visionarycourageoussteadfastresilientbold
STRONG
High confidence

Joan is a Celtic unisex name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #1013 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↑ Rising · +66 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#1013 · rare
Joan at a Glance
Meaning:God is gracious. A Celtic form of Jeanne, derived from the Hebrew name John, blending spiritual grace with Celtic heritage.
Language root:Old Irish · Gaelic
Peak rank:#1013 in 2024
5yr change:+66 ranks
Sex usage:Boy #1013 · Girl #1238
Notable bearers
Joan Mitchell
Abstract expressionist painter
Joan Baez (traditionally female, but appears in male lists historically)
Musician and activist
Joan of Arc
French military leader and saint
Joan Crawford
Hollywood actress
Joan Rivers
Comedian and television host
Joan Didion
Writer and essayist
Similar Sound
Rowan◈Roan◈Ronin◈IoneRhone◈
Similar Style
Soren◈LeifFinn◈Stellan◈Ronan◈Caspian◈
Works well with
IvyWren◈HazelBeckett◈Stellan◈PhoebeRowan◈Cleo◈
You Might Also Like
Soren◈
Scandinavian · #571
→ Stable
Leif
Norse · #925
↓ Declining
Finn◈
Irish · #198
→ Stable
Stellan◈
Scandinavian · #1441
↑ Rising
Ronan◈
Irish · #257
↑ Rising
Caspian◈
Persian · #578
↑ Rising
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Joan illustration
Name Intelligence
Joan · Overview
Summary

Joan is a Celtic unisex name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #1013 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 7/100 → Stable

Strengths
Strong fundamentals
Joan scores 91/100 on the Namesake scale — meaning, origin, and trend all contribute positively.
Rising steadily
Rank has moved 66 positions in the last year. Consistent upward trajectory.
Works for any sex
54% boy · 46% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Classic · Religious character
Joan carries a grounded, warm, gentle quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Domain taken
joan.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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