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Joanne

Girl name · 5,303 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Joanne: 5,303 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 369 births in 1979.

Of Hebrew origin, Joanne is the feminine form of John, ultimately from *Yohanan*, meaning "God is gracious." It emerged in English-speaking countries as a combination of Jo and Anne, gaining particular popularity throughout the mid-20th century. The most famous bearer is perhaps the iconic singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, born Roberta Joan Anderson, who helped define the folk-rock sound of the 1960s and 70s. In literature, Joanne Kathleen Rowling gave the world Harry Potter, making the name synonymous with modern fantasy. The name also connects to Saint Jeanne d'Arc—though via the related French form Jehanne—whose legacy inspired the names of countless towns and streets across France. Less common now than its peak in the 1970s, Joanne remains a familiar, warm classic, often viewed as a slightly more formal alternative to Jo or Joanie.