Meaning & Story
From the Hebrew 'Yohanan' via Latin 'Iohannes,' meaning 'God is gracious.' Joan is the strong, spare English form — associated with Joan of Arc, giving it a legacy of courage and moral conviction.
Joan is a name with serious historical credentials. Joan of Arc was seventeen years old when she led an army. Your pet Joan probably has not done anything quite that dramatic, but she does have an unmistakable sense of purpose and a willingness to look directly at difficult situations without flinching. Joan is for the cat who does not retreat, or the dog who has the warmest heart and the steeliest resolve. A warrior's name, given with love.