The story behind Johanna
From Latin Johanna, variant of Joanna, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh, literally “God is gracious”), the feminized form of יְהוֹחָנָן (Yəhōḥānān) which produced John and its many doublets. Doublet of Ivana, Jana, Jane, Janice, Janis, Jean, Jeanne, Jen, Joan, Joanna, Joanne, Juana, Shavonne, Sian, Siobhan, Shane, Shaun, Shauna, Sheena, and Zhanna.
Other language forms and explanations (4)
Dutch entry
From Middle Dutch Johanna, from Latin Iōhannā, from Ancient Greek Ἰωάννᾱ (Iōánnā), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה.
Finnish entry
From Latin Iohanna, Johanna, ultimately from Biblical Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh, literally “God is gracious”). Feminine equivalent of Johannes.
German entry
From Latin Iohanna, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), which see.
Swedish entry
Latin Johanna, Iohanna. First recorded as a given name in Sweden in 1312. Cognate with English Jane and Joan.
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /d͡ʒəʊˈænə/
Regional pronunciation variants
- English; dialect unspecified: /d͡ʒəʊˈhænə/
- Dutch: /ˌjoːˈɦɑ.naː/
- Finnish: /ˈjohɑnːɑ/
- Finnish: [ˈjo̞ɦɑ̝nːɑ̝]
- German: /joˈhana/
- Swedish: /jʊ²hana/
Popularity
Johanna ranked #871 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Johanna
Joseba
Coined by Sabino Arana in 1910, a learned borrowing from Latin Iōsēphus (“Joseph”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Julia
From Latin Iūlia, feminine form of the Roman gens name Iūlius. Further popularized by early Christian saints. Doublet of Julie. Borrowed from Latin Iūlia. From Latin Iūlia, a…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Júlia
Learned borrowing from Latin Iūlia. Derived from Latin Iūlia.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Juliaana
From Latin Iūliāna, originally usually in reference to Saint Juliana of Nicomedia.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Juliana
From Middle English Juliana, from Latin Iūliāna. Borrowed from Latin Iūliāna, feminine form of Iūliānus. Learned borrowing from Latin Iūliāna. Learned borrowing from Latin…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Julianna
a female given name from Latin, equivalent to English Julianna
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Johanna
Æmile
From Latin Aemilius. See also French Émile.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Baldovino
From Latin Balduinus, from Frankish *Baldawin, from Proto-Germanic *Balþawiniz (literally “bold friend”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Barbra
A female given name from Latin, a nonstandard spelling of Barbara. Associated with Barbra Streisand, who changed the spelling of her name from Barbara.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Johanna
Aarón
a male given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Aaron
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abdiasz
Learned borrowing from Latin Abdias, from Ancient Greek Ἀβδίας (Abdías), from Hebrew עובדיה.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Z
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abílio
Perhaps from Latin abilius (“not vindictive”). Possibly related to Abelardo.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length