Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Johanna

Johanna is mostly the German, Dutch and Scandinavian form of Joan/Joanna (the English/Latinate female equivalent of John). The Latin Iohannes (John) and Iohanna (Joanna) are ultimately derived from the Hebrew “Yochanan” meaning “Yahweh is gracious” or “God is merciful, generous” (the name John first appears in the Old Testament in the person of one of King David’s mighty men). The New Testament Johns (i.e., the Baptist and the Apostle) carry a lot of importance among Christians which is how and why this name has not only survived, but indeed is probably the most successful masculine personal name in the history of Western Civilization. However, separately, Joanna is a name borne from the Bible in her own right as well. She shows up variously in the Gospel According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles as one of the very few women specifically named as “ministering women” who accompany Jesus on his travels. “And with him were the Twelve and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmaries: Mary, called Magdalene, from who seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, wife Chuza, (king) Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their means.” (Luke 8:2-3). These women are also mentioned in Luke 24:10-11 as having witnessed the resurrection, but when they initially described the events to the apostles, they were not believed. It could therefore be argued that Joanna was among the quickest of hearts to believe in Jesus as Christ. This would undoubtedly make Joanna an extremely significant name among the Christians. Johanna is currently most popular in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Norway and the Netherlands. Hanna is a possible nickname (although the two names are unrelated).

All About the Baby Name – Johanna

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME JOHANNA

The number Nine personality represents the completion or ending of the cycle, and a need for perfection. This is the personality that moves from "self" to a greater understanding and compassion for the human condition and the world order. They want to make the world a better place. Nines are capable of great spiritual and humanitarian achievements. They are courageous and fearless, able to fight great battles on behalf of worthy causes. These personalities will not tolerate injustice. They are compassionate people with a strong sensitivity to others. They are able to both educate and inspire. Friendships and relationships are the lifeblood to the Nine, and they place a high value on love and affection. Nines are often exceptionally gifted artistically, and they have a keen imagination and enterprising mind.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME JOHANNA

Johanna is a less popular than Joanna (without the “h”) in the United States, but not by much. The German/Scandinavian Johanna has held a place on America’s Top 1000 list since 1880, which is as far back as we have available data. Not only that, but Johanna has always been a consistent, moderate favorite baby girl’s name in America. We like to think of this one as more cosmopolitan-cool compared to the English “JO-anna” pronunciation. Aside from the facts that Johanna has Biblical significance along with a European sensibility, it is also the name of a famous Bob Dylan song, “Visions of Johanna” (1965), considered one of his major achievements. In the song, Johanna is the elusive and unattainable image of perfection (the songwriter’s muse), without these “visions” of Johanna, life becomes meaningless.

Quick Facts

ON JOHANNA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

Dutch

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

531

PRONUNCIATION:

yo-HAHN-ah

SIMPLE MEANING:

God is gracious, merciful

Characteristics

OF JOHANNA

Multi-talented

Intuitive

Oneness

Idealistic

Philanthropy

Independent

Perfection

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Johanna

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME JOHANNA

Johanna Oakley is a character in the story of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Stephen Sondheim’s 1979 musical based on Christopher Bond’s 1973 play, itself inspired by an 1846/7 “penny dreadful”, The String of Pearls. (Tim Burton made a movie version in 2007, but our Johanna gets short shrift in it.) In Sondheim’s version, Johanna is the daughter of Sweeney Todd. By the time she gets into the gist of the plot, Johanna has already lived a wrenching life. Her father was falsely imprisoned, her mother was raped by Johanna’s ward, Judge Turpin, and Johanna herself is a virtual prisoner in the judge’s home, as he plans to marry her. Whew! As if this weren’t enough, she unwittingly comes upon her real father, Sweeney Todd, the embittered ex-prisoner who avenges himself via the barber chair. Not to worry – this is someone who has seen it all – she can murder a man, she can disguise herself as a man, she can evade a knife-wielding madwoman, she can find a lover and she can melt a father’s heart. You’re not going to make a meat pie out of this gal!

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME JOHANNA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Johanna


Popular Songs

ON JOHANNA

Johanna
is a song from Sweeney Todd

Johanna of the Spirits
a song by the Cherry Poppin' Daddies

Visions of Johanna
is a song by Bob Dylan

Famous People

NAMED JOHANNA

Johanna Maria Lind (aka Jenny Lind, famous Swedish opera singer)
Johanna Spyri (author of the Heidi books)
Johanna Larsson (Swedish tennis player)
Johanna Konta (British tennis player)
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir (former PM of Iceland)
Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir (Icelandic singer known as Yohanna)

Children of Famous People

NAMED JOHANNA

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Johanna

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME JOHANNA

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Johanna