Fun Facts About the Name Josanna
- 110 babies named Josanna: U.S. records list 110 babies given the name Josanna from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Josanna Mean?
Josanna is a feminine name usually understood to mean "God is gracious," from the Hebrew name Yochanan by way of Greek Iōanna and the Latinized Joanna. Yochanan contains a shortened form of the divine name and a verb element related to ḥanan, "to be gracious" or "to show favor."
The spelling also contains the familiar elements Jo- and -anna. Anna comes from Hebrew Hannah, meaning "favor" or "grace," while Jo- is often a short form of Joanna or Josephine. That has led to a second explanation of Josanna as a blended name, but its exact formation is not established, and the Joanna derivation is a customary interpretation rather than a certainty.
Josanna Name History & Origins
The Hebrew Yochanan is borne in the Hebrew Bible by figures such as Johanan son of Kareah; in the New Testament, the Greek masculine form Iōannēs is the name of John the Baptist. The feminine Greek Iōanna appears in the Gospel of Luke as Joanna, the wife of Chuza and a follower of Jesus. From Latin Johanna, English forms such as Joan, Jane, and Joanna belong to this tradition.
Josanna is an uncommon English feminine spelling in this family. It is not the biblical or standard medieval form; its -s- may reflect the influence of Josephine or a deliberate joining of Jo and Anna. Those explanations are plausible rather than documented, so the name has a clear association with Joanna but an uncertain history of its own.
How Popular is the Name Josanna?
Josanna has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1982. Its best rank was #5,711 in 1957.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #13,978 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2022 | #14,370 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2020 | #16,214 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2019 | #16,656 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2017 | #13,336 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2016 | #17,445 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #18,093 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2011 | #18,073 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | #18,296 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2009 | #18,621 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2008 | #16,357 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1997 | #12,818 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1992 | #14,248 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1987 | #10,437 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1983 | #8,412 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1982 | #7,130 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1981 | #9,608 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1957 | #5,711 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1956 | #6,381 | 5 | 0.0002% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Josanna Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are honest, benevolent, brilliant and often inventive, full of high inspirations. You are courageous, honest, determined, original and creative. You are a leader, especially for a cause. Sometimes you do not care to finish what you start, and may leave details to others. You can do well in position of authority, and prospers in intellectual and professional fields. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Josanna's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Josanna's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.