Meaning & History
Jóhanna is the Icelandic feminine given name, equivalent to English Jane or Joan. It is the Icelandic form of Latin Iohanna, which ultimately derives from the Greek name Ἰωάννα (Ioanna), the feminine form of Ioannes (see John).
Etymology and History
Like its English counterpart Joanna, Jóhanna traces its origin to the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious" (see Yahweh). In the New Testament, Joanna is the name of a follower of Jesus who is regarded as a saint. The name was adopted into Latin as Iohanna and spread throughout Europe. In Iceland, Jóhanna has been in use since the Middle Ages, following the Christianization of the country. Its popularity has remained steady, and it is a classic name in Icelandic naming tradition.
Cultural Significance
Jóhanna is a common name in Iceland, and its matronymic forms are used in accordance with Icelandic naming customs. Jóhanna's son is referred to as Jóhonnuson or Jóhannuson, and her daughter as Jóhonnudóttir or Jóhannudóttir. The name is related to other Scandinavian forms such as Johanna and to the Basque form Jone, Polish Joanna, Greek Ioanna, and Ukrainian Zhanna.
- Meaning: "Yahweh is gracious" (from Hebrew Yohanan)
- Origin: Icelandic form of Latin Iohanna, from Greek Ioanna
- Type: Feminine given name
- Usage: Predominantly in Iceland, also in Faroe Islands
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Jóhanna