Joan (female name: ; male name: ) is both a feminine form of the personal name ''John'' given to females in the Anglosphere; and the native masculine form of ''John'' (for males) in the

Catala Catalan (; autonym: , ), known in the Valencian Community and Carche as ''Valencian'' (autonym: ), is a Western Romance language. It is the official language of Andorra, and an official language of three autonomous communities in eastern Spa ...

Valencian Valencian () or Valencian language () is the official, historical and traditional name used in the Valencian Community (Spain), and unofficially in the Carche, El Carche comarca in Región de Murcia, Murcia (Spain), to refer to the Romance lan ...

and

Occitan language Occitan (; oc, occitan, link=no ), also known as ''lenga d'òc'' (; french: langue d'oc) by its native speakers, and sometimes also referred to as ''Provençal'', is a Romance language spoken in Southern France, Monaco, Italy's Occitan Valle ...

s. In both cases, the name is derived from the

Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

via the

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power ...

and (or and ), and is thus cognate with John and related to its many forms, including its derived feminine forms. The name was disseminated widely into many languages and cultures from the

name (romanised, ), along with its feminine form (romanised, ). Its ultimate origin, as with ''John'', is from the

Hebrew Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

(), " Graced by

Yah Yah may refer to: * Jah, shortened form of Yahweh, the Hebrew name for God * YAH, The IATA code for La Grande-4 Airport in northern Quebec, Canada * Yazgulyam language, by ISO 639 code * Yah (song), "Yah" (song), by Kendrick Lamar from his album '' ...

", or (), "

Yahweh Yahweh *''Yahwe'', was the national god of ancient Israel and Judah. The origins of his worship reach at least to the early Iron Age, and likely to the Late Bronze Age The Bronze Age is a historic period, lasting approximately fr ...

is Gracious".

History

The

Anglosphere The Anglosphere is a group of English-speaking nations that share historical and cultural ties with England, and which today maintain close political, diplomatic and military co-operation. While the nations included in different sources vary, ...

female name ''Joan'' entered the English language through the

Old French Old French (, , ; Modern French: ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France from approximately the 8th to the 14th centuries. Rather than a unified language, Old French was a linkage of Romance dialects, mutually intelligi ...

forms, '' Johanne'' and '' Jehanne'', female variants of the male name ''

Johannes Johannes is a Medieval Latin form of the personal name that usually appears as " John" in English language contexts. It is a variant of the Greek and Classical Latin variants (Ιωάννης, '' Ioannes''), itself derived from the Hebrew name '' Y ...

''. In Catalan-Valencian and Occitan, ''Joan'' () has been in continuous use as the native, masculine form of ''John'' since at least the Middle Ages. Its feminine counterpart in these languages is ''Joana''. Historically, ''Joan'' and ''Joam'' were also the main forms of ''John'' in medieval Portuguese (or

Galician-Portuguese Galician-Portuguese ( gl, galego-portugués or ', pt, galego-português or ), also known as Old Portuguese or as Medieval Galician when referring to the history of each modern language, was a West Iberian Romance language spoken in the Middle ...

). The Lusophone world later diverged in adopting ''

João João is the Portuguese equivalent of the given name John. The diminutive is Joãozinho and the feminine is Joana. It is widespread in Portuguese-speaking countries. Notable people with the name are enumerated in the sections below. Kings ...

'' as its native form of the masculine ''John'', while ''Joana'', as in Catalan and Occitan, remains the female form for Portuguese speakers.

List of figures named Joan

Below are lists of people and fictional characters named or known as ''Joan''. They are divided by gender and time period and within each list are presented alphabetically, by surname or title. Where the same name or title applies to more than one entry, each of the sub-entries for the group is listed in order of birth year.

Women

Medieval and early modern periods

The following is a list of notable women known as ''Joan'' who lived in the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...

(from around the 5th to the late 15th centuries) or in the early modern (late 15th century) period: *

Joan of Arc Joan of Arc (french: link=yes, Jeanne d'Arc, translit= �an daʁk} ; 1412 – 30 May 1431) is a patron saint of France, honored as a defender of the French nation for her role in the siege of Orléans and her insistence on the corona ...

(1431), patron saint of France, saint and martyr in Anglicanism and Catholicism * Known as ''Joan I'': **

Joan I, Countess of Burgundy Joan I (1191–1205), also called Joanna of Hohenstaufen, was ruling Countess of Burgundy from 1200 to 1205. She was daughter of Otto I, Count of Burgundy, and Margaret, Countess of Blois. Born in 1191, Joan was countess from the time of her fathe ...

(1191–1205) **

Joan I, Countess of Auvergne Joan I (8 May 1326 – 29 September 1360, Chateau d'Argilly) was ruling Countess of Auvergne and Boulogne from 1332 to 1360 and Queen of France by her marriage to King John II. Life She was the daughter of William XII, Count of Auvergne and Bou ...

(1326–1360) ** Joan I, Countess of Dreux (1345–1346) *

Joan Beaufort, Countess of Westmorland Joan Beaufort ( – 13 November 1440) was the youngest of the four legitimised children and only daughter of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (third surviving son of King Edward III), by his mistress, later wife, Katherine Swynford. ...

( – 1440), daughter of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, wife of Ralph de Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland and Robert Ferrers, 5th Baron Boteler of Wem *

Joan Beaufort, Queen of Scots Joan Beaufort ( 1404 – 15 July 1445) was Queen of Scotland from 1424 to 1437 as the spouse of King James I of Scotland. During part of the minority of her son James II (from 1437 to 1439), she served as the regent of Scotland. Background a ...

(1445) *

Joan, Countess of Blois Joan of Châtillon (''Jeanne de Blois''; 1253? – 19 or 29 January 1291) was Countess of Blois from 1280 to 1291, and Lady of Avesnes. She was the daughter of John I, Count of Blois and Alix of Brittany, Dame de Pontarcy. Joan received the Cou ...

(died 1292) *

Joan, Duchess of Brittany Joan of Penthièvre (French: Jeanne de Penthièvre; c. 1319 – 10 September 1384) reigned as Duchess of Brittany together with her husband, Charles of Blois, between 1341 and 1364. Her ducal claims were contested by the House of Montfort ...

(1319–1384) * Women who were also called ''Joan of England'': **

Joan of England, Queen of Sicily Joan of England (October 1165 – 4 September 1199) was a Queen of Sicily and countess consort of Toulouse. She was the seventh child of Henry II, King of England, and Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine. From her birth, she was destined to make a ...

(1165–1199) **

Joan, Lady of Wales Joan, Lady of Wales and Lady of Snowdon, also known by her Welsh name often written as Siwan (said, approximately /''sɪuːan''/) (/92 – February 1237) was the illegitimate daughter of King John of England, and was the wife of Llywelyn the Gr ...

(1188–1237), wife of Llywelyn the Great, the Prince of Wales, and daughter of John, King of England ** Joan of England, Queen of Scotland (12101238) ** Joan of Acre, Countess of Gloucester (1272–1307) daughter of Edward I of England ** Joan of the Tower (1321–1362), first Queen consort of David II of Scotland **

Joan of Kent Joan, Countess of Kent (29 September 1326/1327 – 7 August 1385), known as The Fair Maid of Kent, was the mother of King Richard II of England, her son by her third husband, Edward the Black Prince, son and heir apparent of King Edward III. ...

(1328–1385), Princess of Wales, "the fair maid of Kent", wife of Edward the Black Prince and mother of King Richard II of England ** Joan of England (1348), daughter of Edward III; betrothed to

Peter of Castile Peter ( es, Pedro; 30 August 133423 March 1369), called the Cruel () or the Just (), was King of Castile and León from 1350 to 1369. Peter was the last ruler of the main branch of the House of Ivrea. He was excommunicated by Pope Urban V f ...

, but died aged 14 of the Black Death while en route to Castile for her marriage *

Joan, Countess of Flanders Joan, often called Joan of Constantinople ( 1199 – 5 December 1244), ruled as Count of Flanders, Countess of Flanders and Count of Hainaut, Hainaut from 1205 (at the age of six) until her death. She was the elder daughter of Baldwin I of Const ...

(1244), also called Joan or Joanna of Constantinople * Joan of France, Duchess of Berry (Saint Joan of Valois; 1464–1505), nun, and briefly Queen of France *

Joan of France, Duchess of Brittany Joan of France (french: Jeanne; 24 January 1391 – 27 September 1433) was Duchess of Brittany by marriage to John V. She was a daughter of Charles VI of France and Isabeau of Bavaria. She ruled Brittany during the imprisonment of her spouse in 1 ...

13911433 * Women also known as ''Joan of Habsburg'': ** Joanna of Austria, Princess of Portugal (15351573) **

Joanna of Austria, Grand Duchess of Tuscany Joanna of Austria (German ''Johanna von Österreich'', Italian ''Giovanna d'Austria'') (24 January 1547 – 11 April 1578) was an Archduchess of Austria. By marriage to Francesco I de' Medici, she was the Grand Princess of Tuscany and later the ...

(15471578) *

Joan the Lame Joan of Burgundy (french: Jeanne; c. 1293 – 12 December 1349), also known as Joan the Lame (french: Jeanne la Boiteuse), was Queen of France as the first wife of King Philip VI. Joan ruled as regent while her husband fought on military campa ...

(1293–1348), first Queen consort of Philip VI of France * Joan of Lancaster (1310–1345) * Joan of Lusignan (died 1322) *

Joan of Lestonnac Jeanne de Lestonnac, Sisters of the Company of Mary, Our Lady, O.D.N., (December 27, 1556 – February 2, 1640), alternately known as Joan of Lestonnac, was a Roman Catholic saint and foundress of the Sisters of the Company of Mary, Our Lady, in ...

(1556–1640), Saint Joanna of Toulouse * Also called ''Joan of Naples'': **

Joanna I of Naples Joanna I, also known as Johanna I ( it, Giovanna I; December 1325 – 27 July 1382), was Queen of Naples, and Countess of Provence and Forcalquier from 1343 to 1382; she was also Princess of Achaea from 1373 to 1381. Joanna was the eldest d ...

(1325–1382) ** Joanna II of Naples (1373–1435) **

Joanna of Aragon, Queen of Naples Joanna of Aragon ( es, Juana, it, Giovanna; 16 June 1455 – 9 January 1517) was Queen of Naples as the second wife of King Ferdinand I. She served as regent (General Lieuntenant) of Naples between the abdication and flight of king Alfonso II ...

(1454–1517), wife of Ferdinand I of Naples ** Joanna of Naples (1478–1518), Queen of Naples and queen consort of Ferdinand II of Naples * Those known as ''Joan of Navarre'': **

Joan I of Navarre Joan I (14 January 1273 – 31 March/2 April 1305) ( eu, Joana) was Queen of Navarre and Countess of Champagne from 1274 until 1305; she was also Queen of France by marriage to King Philip IV. She founded the College of Navarre in Paris in 130 ...

(1273–1305) **

Joan II of Navarre Joan II (french: Jeanne; 28 January 1312 – 6 October 1349) was Queen of Navarre from 1328 until her death. She was the only surviving child of Louis X of France, King of France and Navarre, and Margaret of Burgundy. Joan's paternity was dubiou ...

(1312–1349), princess of France ** Joan of Navarre (1326–1387), nun, daughter of Joan II of Navarre and Philip III of Navarre ** Joan of Navarre, Queen of England (c. 13681437) * Called ''Joan of Portugal'': ** Joan of Portugal, queen of Castile (14391475) ** Joanna, Princess of Portugal (1452–1490) princess and Catholic saint ** Joana, Princess of Beira (1635–1653), Portuguese *

Joan of Scotland, Countess of Morton Joan Stewart, Countess of Morton,"According to modern usage this lady would be titled princess, but the sons and daughters of the Kings of Scotland were seldom given that style of courtesy until after the union of the Crowns." Maxwell, ''House of ...

(c. 14281486) * Joan Shakespeare (1569–1646), sister of

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's natio ...

Joan of Spain Joanna of Austria (in Castilian, ''Doña Juana de Austria''; in Portuguese, ''Dona Joana de Áustria'', 24 June 1535 – 7 September 1573) was Princess of Portugal by marriage to João Manuel, Prince of Portugal. She served as regent of ...

(1535–1573), of Spain * Women called ''Joan of Valois'': **

Joan of Valois, Countess of Hainaut Joan of Valois (c. 1294 – 7 March 1352) was a Countess consort of Hainaut, Holland, and Zeeland, by marriage to William I, Count of Hainaut. She acted as regent of Hainaut and Holland several times during the absence of her spouse, and she als ...

(1294–1352) **

Joan of Valois, Countess of Beaumont Joan of Valois (french: Jeanne de Valois; 1304–1363) was the daughter of Charles, Count of Valois and his second wife Catherine I of Courtenay, titular empress of Constantinople. She was half-sister to King Philip VI of France. In around 1320, ...

(1304–1363) ** Joan of Valois, Queen of Navarre (1343–1373) ** Joan of Valois, Duchess of Alençon (1409–1432) **

Joan of France, Duchess of Bourbon Joan of France (; 4 May 1435 – 1482) was the seventh child and fourth daughter of Charles VII of France and Marie of Anjou. She married John II, Duke of Bourbon, in 1447. They had no children. She was the owner of the book of hours of Joa ...

(1435–1482)

Modern era

The following is a list of notable women known as ''Joan'' who were born in the late modern (post-1800) and contemporary historical (post-1945) periods: *

Joan Allen Joan Allen (born August 20, 1956) is an American actress. She began her career with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 1977, won the 1984 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play for '' And a Nightingale Sang'', and won the 1988 Tony A ...

(born 1956), American film actress *

Joan Anim-Addo Joan Anim-Addo is a Grenadian-born academic, poet, playwright and publisher, who is Emeritus Professor of Caribbean Literature and Culture in the English and Creative Writing Department at Goldsmiths, University of London. Academic career Born ...

(), Grenadian-born academic, poet, playwright and publisher *

Joan Armatrading Joan Anita Barbara Armatrading, (, born 9 December 1950) is a Kittitian-English singer-songwriter and guitarist. A three-time Grammy Award nominee, Armatrading has also been nominated twice for BRIT Awards as Best Female Artist. She receive ...

(born 1950), British singer *

Joan Baez Joan Chandos Baez (; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing more ...

(born 1941), American singer-songwriter * Joan Barclay (1914–2002), American actress *

Joan Barnett Joan Barnett (November 19, 1945 – October 15, 2020) was an American casting director and television executive producer. She was best known for producing many television films, notably ''Adam'' (1983), which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nom ...

(1945–2020), American casting director and television executive producer *

Joan Bennett Joan Geraldine Bennett (February 27, 1910 – December 7, 1990) was an American stage, film, and television actress. She came from a show-business family, one of three acting sisters. Beginning her career on the stage, Bennett appeared in more t ...

(1910–1990), American actress * Joan Benoit (born 1957), American marathon runner *

Joan Bielski Joan Margaret Bielski, , (27 November 1923 – 17 August 2012) was an Australian activist for equality for women in employment, education and public life. Early life Born at Narrabri, New South Wales to Francis Ward (a banker) and Doris (née Bu ...

(1923–2012), Australian activist *

Joan Blackman Joan May Blackman (born May 17, 1938, in San Francisco, California) is an American actress. Film Blackman appeared in her first motion picture, ''Good Day for a Hanging'', in 1959. She had a significant role in two Elvis Presley films. She play ...

(born 1938), American actress *

Joan Blondell Joan Blondell (born Rose Joan Bluestein; August 30, 1906 – December 25, 1979) was an American actress who performed in film and television for 50 years. Blondell began her career in vaudeville. After winning a beauty pageant, she embarked on ...

(1906–1979), American actress * Joan Cather (1882–1967), British suffragette * Joan Caulfield (1922–1991), American actress *

Joan Chandler Joan Chandler (born Joan Cheeseman; August 24, 1923 – May 11, 1979) was an American actress who notably starred in ''Rope'' (1948) with James Stewart and ''Humoresque'' (1946) with Joan Crawford. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Cheeseman, C ...

(1923–1979), American actress *

Joan Collins Dame Joan Henrietta Collins (born 23 May 1933) is an English actress, author and columnist. Collins is the recipient of several accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, a People's Choice Award, two Soap Opera Digest Awards and a Primetime ...

(born 1933), English actress and author *

Joan Ganz Cooney Joan Ganz Cooney (born Joan Ganz; November 30, 1929) is an American television writer and producer. She is one of the founders of Sesame Workshop (formerly ''Children's Television Workshop'' or CTW), the organization famous for the creation of ...

(born 1929), American television producer * Joan Cooper (1914–1999), English civil servant and social worker *

Joan Crawford Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; March 23, ncertain year from 1904 to 1908was an American actress. She started her career as a dancer in traveling theatrical companies before debuting on Broadway. Crawford was signed to a motion pic ...

(born between 1904 and 1908; died 1977), American actress *

Joan Crossley-Holland Joan Mary Crossley-Holland ( Cowper; 3 April 1912 – 12 January 2005) was an English gallery owner and potter. Educated at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, she began a career in pottery at Royal Doulton. She took a break from work to r ...

(1912–2005), English gallery owner and potter *

Joan Cusack Joan Mary Cusack (; born October 11, 1962) is an American actress. She received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her roles in the comedy-drama '' Working Girl'' (1988) and the romantic comedy '' In & Out'' (1997 ...

(born 1962), American actress *

Joan Davis Josephine "Joan" Davis (June 29, 1907 – May 22, 1961) was an American comedic actress whose career spanned vaudeville, film, radio, and television. Remembered best for the 1950s television comedy '' I Married Joan'', Davis had a successful e ...

(1907–1961), American actress and comedian *

Joan Didion Joan Didion (; December 5, 1934 – December 23, 2021) was an American writer. Along with Tom Wolfe, Hunter S. Thompson and Gay Talese, she is considered one of the pioneers of New Journalism. Didion's career began in the 1950s after she won a ...

(1934–2021), American writer * Joan Dowling (1928–1954), British actress * Joan Feynman (1927–2020), American astrophysicist *

Joan Bamford Fletcher Joan Bamford Fletcher (July 12, 1909 – April 30, 1979) was a Canadian member of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. In 1945, Fletcher commanded a force of surrendered Japanese soldiers and used them to escort 2,000 Dutch civilian captives from a ...

(1909–1979), Canadian member of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry *

Joan Fontaine Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland (October 22, 1917 – December 15, 2013), known professionally as Joan Fontaine, was a British-American actress who is best known for her starring roles in Hollywood films during the " Golden Age". Fontaine appeared ...

(1917−2013), British-American actress * Joan Gould (born 1927), American author and journalist * Joan Greenwood (1921−1987), English actress * Joan Grounds (1939–2010), American-born Australian artist *

Joan Haanappel Joan Haanappel (born 13 November 1940) is a Dutch former figure skater and sports presenter for NOS, AVRO, ZDF and Eurosport. She is a three-time European bronze medalist (1958–1960) and a four-time Dutch national champion. Career Skating c ...

(born 1940), Dutch former figure skater and sports presenter *

Joan Hackett Joan Ann Hackett (March 1, 1934 – October 8, 1983) was an American actress of film, stage, and television. She starred in the 1967 western '' Will Penny''. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and won the Golde ...

(1934–1983), American actress *

Joan B. Hague Joan B. Hague is an American politician from New York, United States. Life She was born Joan Spillane Barber in Glens Falls, Warren County, New York. She graduated from Tusculum College in 1951, and later attended for some time Fairleigh Dickinson ...

(active 1971–1982), American politician *

Joan Hansen Joan Elizabeth Hansen (born July 18, 1958) is a retired long-distance runner from the United States, who represented her native country in the women's 3,000 metres at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, finishing in eighth place. ...

(born 1958), American long-distance runner *

Joan Harnett Joan Frances Harnett-Kindley (née Martin; born 24 February 1943) is a New Zealand former netball player and real estate agent. She began playing for Canterbury's Sacred Hart team in 1960 and was first selected to play for the country's national ...

(born 1943), New Zealand netball player and real estate agent *

Joan Hickson Joan Bogle Hickson, OBE (5 August 1906 – 17 October 1998) was an English actress of theatre, film and television. She was known for her role as Agatha Christie's Miss Marple in the television series ''Miss Marple''. She also narrated a number ...

(1906–1998), English actress *

Joan Higginbotham Joan Elizabeth Higginbotham (born August 3, 1964) is an electrical engineer and a former NASA astronaut. She flew aboard Space Shuttle ''Discovery'' mission STS-116 as a mission specialist and is the third African American woman to go into spa ...

(born 1963), American astronaut *

Joan Hotchkis Joan Hotchkis (September 21, 1927 – September 27, 2022) was an American stage, screen and television actress, writer and performance artist. A lifetime member of the Actors Studio and the Dramatists Guild, Hotchkis was best known for playing ...

(1927–2022), American actress *

Joan Jara Joan Jara (born Joan Alison Turner, England, 1927) is a British- Chilean dancer, activist, and widow of Chilean icon, communist and folksinger Víctor Jara. Since his death, she dedicated herself to perpetuating the memory of him, his work, ...

(born 1927), British-Chilean dancer and widow of Víctor Jara * Joan Jefferson Farjeon (1913–2006), English scenographer and scenic designer *

Joan Jett Joan Jett (born Joan Marie Larkin, September 22, 1958) is an American singer, guitarist, record producer, and actress. Jett is best known for her work as the frontwoman of her band Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and for earlier founding and per ...

(born 1958), American musician *

Joan O. Joshua Joan Olive Joshua (11 July 1912 – 21 February 1993) was an English veterinary surgeon, dog breeder and feminist. She worked at her one-person private practice in Finchley, London from 1939 to 1962. Joshua was the first female fellow of the Royal ...

(1912–1993), English veterinary surgeon, dog breeder and feminist * Several women known as ''Joan Kennedy'': ** Joan Kennedy (1908–1956), Canadian soldier ** Joan Kennedy Taylor (1926–2005), American writer and political activist ** Joan Bennett Kennedy (born 1936), American socialite, and first wife of U.S. Senator

Ted Kennedy Edward Moore Kennedy (February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States senator from Massachusetts for almost 47 years, from 1962 until his death in 2009. A member of the Democratic ...

** Joan Kennedy (–c. 2000), Canadian country music singer *

Joan Marie Laurer Chyna (born Joan Marie Laurer; December 27, 1969 – April 17, 2016) was an American professional wrestler, bodybuilder and television personality. She first rose to prominence in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1997, where ...

("Chyna"; 1969–2016), American pornographic actress, bodybuilder, model, and former professional wrestler *

Joan Lawson Joan Lawson (30 January 1907 – 18 February 2002) was an English ballet dancer and writer of several books and text on the subject of dance. She performed in revues and opera with the Nemtchinova-Dolin Ballet from approximately 1933 to 1934 and ...

(1907–2002), English ballet dancer and writer * Joan Leemhuis-Stout (born 1946), Dutch politician *

Joan Le Mesurier Joan Dorothy Le Mesurier (née Long, formerly Malin; 3 July 1931 – 9 July 2021) was an English actress and author who was the widow and biographer of the actor John Le Mesurier. Joan Long was born in Oldham, Lancashire. She was brought up in Ra ...

(1931–2021), English actress and author * Joan Leslie (1925–2015), American actress * Joan Lin (born 1953), Taiwanese actress *

Joan Lindsay Joan à Beckett Weigall, Lady Lindsay (16 November 189623 December 1984) was an Australian novelist, playwright, essayist, and visual artist. Trained in her youth as a painter, she published her first literary work in 1936 at age forty under a ...

(1896–1984), Australian author, best known for her novel ''Picnic at Hanging Rock'' *

Joan Littlewood Joan Maud Littlewood (6 October 1914 – 20 September 2002) was an English theatre director who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and is best known for her work in developing the Theatre Workshop. She has been called "The Mother of ...

(1914–2002), English theatre director * Joan Lunden (born 1950), American journalist, author and television presenter * Joan Moriarty (1923–2020), British nursing administrator * Joan O'Malley (active 1964–1996), Canadian civil servant *

Joan Onyemaechi Mrakpor Joan Onyemaechi Mrakpor (born 1966) is a Nigerian Christian evangelist and politician of Anioma heritage. She is a member of the People's Democratic Party and has since 2015 represented Aniocha North-Aniocha South-Oshimili North-Oshimili South ...

(born 1966), Nigerian politician *

Joan Orenstein Joan Orenstein (December 4, 1923 – October 10, 2009) was a British-born Canadian actress, primarily on stage, although she performed in other media. One of her best-known roles was in the 1997 film '' The Hanging Garden'' as the dotty old g ...

(1923–2009), Canadian actress *

Joan Osborne Joan Elizabeth Osborne (born July 8, 1962) is an American singer, songwriter, and interpreter of music, having recorded and performed in various popular American musical genres including rock, pop, soul, R&B, blues, and country. She is best kn ...

(born 1962), American singer-songwriter *

Joan Plowright Joan Ann Olivier, Baroness Olivier, (née Plowright; born 28 October 1929), professionally known as Dame Joan Plowright, is an English retired actress whose career has spanned over seven decades. She has won two Golden Globe Awards and a Ton ...

(born 1929), English actress *

Joan Redwing Joan M. Redwing is an American materials scientist known for research on Electronic Materials, electronic and optoelectronic materials, including the processing of semiconductor thin films and nanomaterials by metalorganic chemical vapor depositio ...

(active from ), materials scientist and professor at

Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a public state-related land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania. Founded in 1855 as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State becam ...

Joan Regan Joan Regan (born Joan Bethel or Siobhan Bethel; 19 January 1928 – 12 September 2013) was an English traditional pop music singer, popular during the 1950s and early 1960s. Biography Regan was born in either Romford, Essex, or West Ham, Londo ...

(1928–2013), English singer *

Joan Rivers Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014), known professionally as Joan Rivers, was an American comedian, actress, producer, writer and television host. She was noted for her blunt, often controversial comedic persona—heavi ...

(1933–2014), American comedian, talk show host and businesswoman * Joan R. Rosenblatt (1926–2018), American statistician *

Joni Robbins Joni Robbins (born Joan Eva Rothman, died September 21, 2020) was an American veteran voice actress. Biography In the 1950s, her family moved to Los Angeles so that her father Michael "Max" Rothman could work as a masseur at the Beverly Hills H ...

(born Joan Eva Rothman; died 2020), American voice actress * Joan Silber (born 1945), American writer *

Joan Sims Irene Joan Marion Sims (9 May 1930 – 27 June 2001) was an English actress, best remembered for her roles in the ''Carry On'' franchise, appearing in 24 of the films (the most for any actress). On television, she is known for playing Gran i ...

(1930–2001), English actress * Joan Micklin Silver (1935–2020), American film director *

Joan Staniswalis Joan Georgette Staniswalis (July 25, 1957 – April 13, 2018) was an American statistician who made "significant contributions to theory and biomedical applications" of statistics, including the effects of air quality and racial inequality on healt ...

(1957–2018), American statistician * Joan Steinbrenner (1935–2018), American vice-chair of the New York Yankees baseball team *

Joan Sutherland Dame Joan Alston Sutherland, (7 November 1926 – 10 October 2010) was an Australian dramatic coloratura soprano known for her contribution to the renaissance of the bel canto repertoire from the late 1950s through to the 1980s. She possessed ...

(1926–2010), Australian opera singer * Joan Tewkesbury (born 1936), American film and television director and screenwriter *

Joan Tower Joan Tower (born September 6, 1938)http://www.schirmer.com/default.aspx?TabId=2419&State_2872=2&ComposerId_2872=1605 Biography on Schirmer is a Grammy-winning contemporary American composer, concert pianist and conductor. Lauded by ''The New Y ...

(born 1938), American composer * Joan Vass (1925-2011), American fashion designer. * Joan Wexler (born 1946), American Dean and President of

Brooklyn Law School Brooklyn Law School (BLS) is a private law school in New York City. Founded in 1901, it has approximately 1,100 students. Brooklyn Law School's faculty includes 60 full-time faculty, 15 emeriti faculty, and a number of adjunct faculty. Brookly ...

* Joan Wyndham (1921–2007), British writer and memoirist

Men

The following is a list of notable men known as ''Joan'' (): * John or Joan, a (local chieftain or ruler) in

Wallachia Wallachia or Walachia (; ro, Țara Românească, lit=The Romanian Land' or 'The Romanian Country, ; archaic: ', Romanian Cyrillic alphabet: ) is a historical and geographical region of Romania. It is situated north of the Lower Danube and s ...

around 1247 * Joan Adon (born 1998), MLB pitcher for Washington Nationals *

Joan Blaeu Joan Blaeu (; 23 September 1596 – 21 December 1673) was a Dutch cartographer born in Alkmaar, the son of cartographer Willem Blaeu. Life In 1620, Blaeu became a doctor of law but he joined the work of his father. In 1635, they published ...

(1596–1673), Dutch cartographer * Joan Boada, Cuban ballet dancer * Joan Capdevila (born 1978), Spanish footballer *

Joan Comorera Joan Comorera i Soler (or Juan Comorera y Soler; 5 September 1894 – 7 May 1958) was a Spanish Communist politician, journalist and writer from Catalonia who spent several years in Argentina before returning to Spain in 1931 at the start of the S ...

(1894–1958), Spanish communist politician * Joan Cornellà (born 1981), Spanish cartoonist and illustrator * Joan Daemen (born 1965), Belgian cryptographer and inventor of Rijndael *

Joan Ignasi Elena Joan Ignasi Elena i Garcia (born 27 June 1968) is a Spanish lawyer and politician from Catalonia, former member of the Parliament of Catalonia and the current Minister of the Interior of Catalonia. Early life Elena was born on 27 June 1968 in ...

(born 1968), Catalan politician *

Joan Gamper Hans Max Gamper-Haessig (; 22 November 1877 – 30 July 1930), commonly known as Joan Gamper (), was a Swiss-born football executive and versatile athlete. He founded football clubs in Switzerland and Spain, most notably FC Barcelona and FC Zür ...

(1877–1930), Swiss-born Spanish footballer and businessman most famous as the founder of

FC Barcelona Futbol Club Barcelona (), commonly referred to as Barcelona and colloquially known as Barça (), is a professional Football team, football club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, that competes in La Liga, the top flight of Spanish footb ...

* Joan Gaspart (born 1944), Spanish businessman and president of FC Barcelona (2000–2003) * Joan Laporta (born 1962), Spanish lawyer and president of FC Barcelona (2003–2010) * Joan Llaneras (born 1969), Spanish track cyclist *

Joan Majó Joan Majó i Cruzate (born 19 June 1938) is a Spanish politician who served as minister of industry and energy from July 1985 to July 1986. References External links * 1939 births Living people Polytechnic University of Catalonia alumn ...

(born 1938), Spanish politician *

Joan Martorell Joan Martorell i Montells () (born 1833 in Barcelona, died 5 July 1906 in Barcelona) was a Catalan architect and designer. He was an uncle of the architect Bernardí Martorell i Puig. Martorell worked in the styles of historicism and Gothic Rev ...

(1833–1906), Spanish architect *

Joan Mir Joan Mir Mayrata () (born 1 September 1997) is a Spanish Grand Prix motorcycle racer riding for the Repsol Honda Team, who is best known for winning the 2020 MotoGP World Championship with Suzuki. He is the fourth Spanish rider to win the premie ...

(born 1997), Spanish motorcycle racer *

Joan Miró Joan Miró i Ferrà ( , , ; 20 April 1893 – 25 December 1983) was a Catalan painter, sculptor and ceramicist born in Barcelona. A museum dedicated to his work, the Fundació Joan Miró, was established in his native city of Barcelona i ...

(1893–1983), Spanish artist * Joan Oumari (born 1988), Lebanese footballer *

Joan Ribó Joan Ribó i Canut (; born 17 September 1947) is a Spanish politician and engineer who has been the mayor of Valencia since 13 June 2015. Ribó is member of Coalició Compromís. Career Ribó was born on 17 September 1947 in Manresa in the Provi ...

(born 1947), Spanish politician *

Joan Roca i Fontané Joan Roca i Fontané (born 11 February 1964) is a Spanish chef, best known as founder and head chef of El Celler de Can Roca, awarded three Michelin stars in 2009. In 2013 & 2015, it was named the best restaurant in the world by the Restaurant ...

(born 1964), Spanish chef *

Joan Sebastian José Manuel Figueroa Figueroa (April 8, 1951 – July 13, 2015), known professionally as Joan Sebastian (), was a Mexican singer-songwriter. He composed more than 1,000 songs, including compositions for artists such as Bronco, Vicente Fernán ...

(1951–2015), Mexican vocalist *

Joan Manuel Serrat Joan Manuel Serrat i Teresa (; born 27 December 1943) is a Spanish musician, singer and composer. He is considered one of the most important figures of modern, popular music in both the Spanish and Catalan languages. Serrat's lyrical style ...

(born 1943), Spanish songwriter * Joan Villadelprat, Former Operations Director and Team Manager at

Benetton Formula Benetton Formula Ltd., commonly referred to simply as Benetton, was a Formula One constructor that participated from to . The team was owned by the Benetton family who run a worldwide chain of clothing stores of the same name. In 2000, the t ...

* Joan Verdú (born 1983), Spanish footballer * Joan Voûte (1879–1963), Dutch astronomer * Joan van der Waals (1920–2022), Dutch physicist

Fictional characters

Legendary or fictional characters called ''Joan'' include: *

Pope Joan Pope Joan (''Ioannes Anglicus'', 855–857) was, according to legend, a woman who reigned as pope for two years during the Middle Ages. Her story first appeared in chronicles in the 13th century and subsequently spread throughout Europe. The ...

, 9th century legend * Joan Clayton, a character from the TV series ''Girlfriends'', played by

Tracee Ellis Ross Tracee Joy Silberstein (born October 29, 1972), known professionally as Tracee Ellis Ross, is an American actress. She is known for her lead roles in the television series '' Girlfriends'' (2000–2008) and ''Black-ish'' (2014–2022). She is ...

* The clone of

is a main character in

Clone high ''Clone High'' (occasionally referred to in the United States as ''Clone High USA'') is an adult animated science fiction sitcom created by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Bill Lawrence. The show centers on a high school populated by the c ...

* Lt. Joan Dark, a character from the 2019 film '' Doom: Annihilation'' *

Joan Ferguson The following is a List of ''Prisoner'' cast members, ordered by number of episodes they appeared in. This list contains actors from the Australian television series '' Prisoner''. List of ''Prisoner'' cast The following list includes acto ...

, a character from the TV series ''Wentworth'' *

Joan Holloway Joan P. Holloway Harris is a fictional character on the AMC television series ''Mad Men'' (2007–15). She is portrayed by Christina Hendricks. Hendricks has received six consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting ...

, ''Mad Men'' character * Joan Lawson, a character from Small Wonder, played by

Marla Pennington Marla Lynn Pennington (born March 5, 1954) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Joan Anderson Lawson on ''Small Wonder'', her last acting role to date. Her other television credits include ''Soap'', ''Diff'rent Strokes'', ...

* Sow Joan, an ''

Animal Crossing series is a social simulation video game series developed and published by Nintendo. The series was conceptualized and created by Katsuya Eguchi and Hisashi Nogami. In ''Animal Crossing'', the player character is a human who lives in a village inhabi ...

'' character * Joan Watson, a character from the TV series ''Elementary'', played by Lucy Liu

Explanatory notes

References

{{given name English feminine given names Dutch masculine given names Catalan masculine given names Unisex given names