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 Catalan-

Valencian Valencian () or Valencian language () is the official, historical and traditional name used in the Valencian Community (Spain), and unofficially in the El Carche comarca in Murcia (Spain), to refer to the Romance language also known as Catal ...

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 languages, Romance language spoken in Southern France, Monaco, Ital ...

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 of the ...

and (or and ), and is thus cognate with

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Secon ...

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", 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 if not somewhat earlier, and in the oldest biblical literature he poss ...

is Gracious".

History

The

Anglosphere The Anglosphere is a group of English-speaking world, 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 d ...

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 intelligib ...

forms, ''

Johanne Johanne is an Old French equivalent of Joanna that is now a common French Canadian female given name. Johanne as a given name *Johanne Bégin (born 1971), Canadian waterpolo player *Johanne Brekke, Welsh sport shooter *Johanne Deschamps (born 1959 ...

'' and ''

Jehanne 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 coronati ...

'', 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 '' Yeh ...

''. 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 languages, West Iberian Romance languag ...

). 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 a ...

(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 coronat ...

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

(1326–1360) **

Joan I, Countess of Dreux Joan I (1345–1346), was the ruling suo jure Countess of Dreux in 1345–1346.Detlev Schwennicke: Europäische Stammtafeln, Band III.1 (1984), T. 63 She was the only child of Peter, Count of Dreux and Isabeau de Melun, lady of Houdain. Her fat ...

(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. S ...

( – 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 ...

(1445) * Joan, Countess of Blois (died 1292) *

Joan, Duchess of Brittany Joan of Penthièvre (French: Jeanne de Penthièvre; c. 1319 – 10 September 1384) reigned as Duchess of Brittany This is a list of rulers of the Duchy of Brittany. In different epochs the sovereigns of Brittany were kings, princes, and ...

(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 Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in ...

(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 Joan of England (22 July 1210 – 4 March 1238), was Queen consort of Scotland from 1221 until her death. She was the third child of John, King of England and Isabella of Angoulême. Life Joan was sought as a bride by Philip II of France for ...

(12101238) **

Joan of Acre Joan of Acre (April 1272 – 23 April 1307) was an English princess, a daughter of Edward I of England and Eleanor of Castile. The name "Acre" derives from her birthplace in the Holy Land while her parents were on a crusade. She was married twi ...

, 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 for ...

, but died aged 14 of the

Black Death The Black Death (also known as the Pestilence, the Great Mortality or the Plague) was a bubonic plague pandemic occurring in Western Eurasia and North Africa from 1346 to 1353. It is the most fatal pandemic recorded in human history, causi ...

while en route to Castile for her marriage *

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

(1244), also called Joan or Joanna of Constantinople *

Joan of France, Duchess of Berry Joan of France (french: link=no, Jeanne de France, Jeanne de Valois; 23 April 1464 – 4 February 1505), was briefly Queen of France as wife of King Louis XII, in between the death of her brother, King Charles VIII, and the annulment of her mar ...

(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 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 S ...

(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 (1293–1348), first Queen consort of Philip VI of France *

Joan of Lancaster Joan of Lancaster ( – 7 July 1349) sometimes called Joan Plantagenet after her dynasty's name, was the third daughter of Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster and Maud Chaworth. Royal family ties Joan of Lancaster was born c. 1312 at Grosmont Castl ...

(1310–1345) *

Joan of Lusignan Joan of Lusignan (1260 – 13 April 1323) was a French noblewoman. She succeeded her uncle, Guy de la Marche, Knight, sometime in the period, 1310/13, as Lady of Couche and Peyrat, but not as Countess of La Marche since after her sister, Yola ...

(died 1322) *

Joan of Lestonnac Jeanne de Lestonnac, 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 1607. The new institute, approved by Pa ...

(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 ...

(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 2 ...

(1454–1517), wife of Ferdinand I of Naples **

Joanna of Naples (1478–1518) Joanna of Naples (15 April 1478 – 27 August 1518) was Queen of Naples by marriage to her nephew, Ferdinand II of Naples. After the death of her spouse, she was for a short while a candidate for the throne. Life Joanna was born at Naples ...

, 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 Joan of Navarre may refer to: *Joan I of Navarre (1273–1305), daughter of Henry I of Navarre *Joan II of Navarre (1312–1349), daughter of Louis I of Navarre * Joan of Navarre (nun) (1326–1387), daughter of Joan II of Navarre and Philip III of ...

(1326–1387), nun, daughter of Joan II of Navarre and Philip III of Navarre **

Joan of Navarre, Queen of England Joan of Navarre, also known as Joanna ( – 10 June 1437) was Duchess of Brittany by marriage to Duke John IV and later Queen of England as the second wife of King Henry IV. She served as regent of Brittany from 1399 until 1403 during the min ...

(c. 13681437) * Called ''Joan of Portugal'': **

Joan of Portugal Joan of Portugal ( pt, Joana �uˈɐnɐ 31 March 1439 – June 13, 1475)Charles Cawley, ''Medieval Lands, Portugal'' was the Queen of Castile as the second wife of King Henry IV of Castile. The posthumous daughter of King Edward of Portuga ...

, queen of Castile (14391475) **

Joanna, Princess of Portugal Joanna of Portugal (6 February 1452 – 12 May 1490; pt, Santa Joana Princesa, ) was a Portugal, Portuguese regent princess of the House of Aviz, daughter of List of Portuguese monarchs, King Afonso V of Portugal and his first wife Isabel of ...

(1452–1490) princess and Catholic saint **

Joana, Princess of Beira Joana, Princess of Beira (18 September 1635 – 17 November 1653; ; ) was a Portuguese ''infanta'' (princess), and the eldest surviving daughter of John IV, King of Portugal (the first of the House of Braganza) and his wife Luisa de Guzmán. ...

(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 Joan Shakespeare (married name Joan Hart; baptised 15 April 1569 – buried 4 November 1646) was the sister of William Shakespeare. She is the only member of the family whose known descendants continue down to the present day. Life Joan was Shake ...

(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 nation ...

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 S ...

(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 (1304–1363) **

Joan of Valois, Queen of Navarre Joan of France, also known as Joan or Joanna of Valois (24 June 1343, Châteauneuf-sur-Loire – 3 November 1373, Évreux), was Queen of Navarre by marriage to Charles II of Navarre (called ''The Bad''). She was the daughter of John II of Franc ...

(1343–1373) **

Joan of Valois, Duchess of Alençon Joan of Valois (13 September 1409, in Blois – 19 May 1432, in Angers) was the only surviving child of Charles, Duke of Orléans, and Isabella of Valois. She held the title Duchess of Alençon when married to John II of Alençon. Family ...

(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 Joan ...

(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 Aw ...

(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 received ...

(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 Joan Barclay (born Mary Elizabeth Greear; August 31, 1914 – November 22, 2002) was an American film actress of the 1930s and 1940s, starring mostly in B-movies and cliffhangers, with her career starting during the silent film era. Biography ...

(1914–2002), American actress * Joan Barnett (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 Joan Benoit Samuelson (born May 16, 1957) is an American marathon runner who was the first women's Olympic Games marathon champion, winning the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. She held the fastest time for an American woma ...

(born 1957), American marathon runner * Joan Bielski (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 Joan Cather (1882–1967) was a suffragette, awarded a Hunger Strike Medal, 'For Valour' and a Holloway brooch for imprisonment in the cause of women's rights to vote, and also as protest refused to take part in the 1911 British Census. Life ...

(1882–1967), British suffragette *

Joan Caulfield Beatrice Joan Caulfield (June 1, 1922 – June 18, 1991) was an American actress and model. After being discovered by Broadway producers, she began a stage career in 1943 that eventually led to signing as an actress with Paramount Pictures. In th ...

(1922–1991), American actress * Joan Chandler (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 Primeti ...

(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 Joan Cooper (23 August 1922 – 1 July 1989) was a British actress. Her second husband was the actor Arthur Lowe whom she met at the Manchester Repertory Theatre in 1946. They were married at the Register Office, Strand, London, in January ...

(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 theatre, Broadway. Crawford was si ...

(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 rai ...

(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 earl ...

(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 ...

(1934–2021), American writer *

Joan Dowling Joan Dowling (6 January 1928 – 31 March 1954) was a British character actress. Life and career Dowling was the illegitimate daughter of Vera Dowling. A piece in ''The Laindon and District Times'', on 23 June 2015, written by her cousin Joh ...

(1928–1954), British actress *

Joan Feynman Joan Feynman (March 31, 1927 – July 21, 2020) was an American astrophysicist. She made contributions to the study of solar wind particles and fields, sun-Earth relations, and magnetospheric physics. In particular, Feynman was known for develo ...

(1927–2020), American astrophysicist * Joan Bamford Fletcher (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 Joan Gould (February 27, 1927 – August 20, 2022) was an American author and journalist. As a freelance journalist in the 1960s, Gould contributed articles to publications such as '' Esquire'' ''Life'', ''Sports Illustrated'', ''McCall's'' and '' ...

(born 1927), American author and journalist *

Joan Greenwood Joan Mary Waller Greenwood (4 March 1921 – 28 February 1987) was an English actress. Her husky voice, coupled with her slow, precise elocution, was her trademark. She played Sibella in the 1949 film ''Kind Hearts and Coronets'', and also app ...

(1921−1987), English actress *

Joan Grounds Joan Grounds (born 1939) is an American-born artist. She has been exhibiting in Australia and internationally from 1967. Her solo and collaborative art work is held in the National Gallery of Australia (ceramics), the National Gallery of Victoria ...

(1939–2010), American-born Australian artist * Joan Haanappel (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. H ...

(born 1958), American long-distance runner * Joan Harnett (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 Joan Jefferson Farjeon (26 May 1913 – 8 August 2006) was an English scenographer and costume designer. Born into a literary family, she began illustrating in 1939 and began working as a sceneographer and costume designer in 1941, working in the ...

(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 (1912–1993), English veterinary surgeon, dog breeder and feminist * Several women known as ''Joan Kennedy'': ** Joan Kennedy (1908–1956), Canadian soldier **

Joan Kennedy Taylor Joan Kennedy Taylor (December 21, 1926 – October 29, 2005) was an American journalist, author, editor, public intellectual, and political activist. She is best known for her advocacy of individualist feminism and for her role in the develo ...

(1926–2005), American writer and political activist **

Joan Bennett Kennedy Virginia Joan Kennedy ( Bennett, born September 2, 1936) is an American socialite who was the first wife of U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy. Early life Virginia Joan Bennett was born at Mother Cabrini Hospital in New York City. She was raised in a R ...

(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 sh ...

("Chyna"; 1969–2016), American pornographic actress, bodybuilder, model, and former professional wrestler * Joan Lawson (1907–2002), English ballet dancer and writer *

Joan Leemhuis-Stout Joan Marika Leemhuis-Stout (born 29 June 1946, in Hoogezand) is a Dutch politician and former civil servant. She is a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie). Leemhuis-Stout worked among ot ...

(born 1946), Dutch politician * Joan Le Mesurier (1931–2021), English actress and author *

Joan Leslie Joan Leslie (born Joan Agnes Theresa Sadie Brodel; January 26, 1925 – October 12, 2015) was an American actress and vaudevillian, who during the Hollywood Golden Age, appeared in such films as '' High Sierra'' (1941), ''Sergeant York'' (1941) ...

(1925–2015), American actress *

Joan Lin Joan Lin Feng-jiao (born 30 June 1953) is a Taiwanese former actress. She is married to Hong Kong-Chinese actor and martial artist Jackie Chan. Early life Born 30 June 1953 in Taipei, Lin was the second child out of five children. She dropped out ...

(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 M ...

(1914–2002), English theatre director *

Joan Lunden Joan Lunden (born Joan Elise Blunden on September 19, 1950) is an American journalist, an author, and a television host. Lunden was the co-host of ABC's ''Good Morning America'' from 1980 to 1997, and has authored eight books. She has appeared o ...

(born 1950), American journalist, author and television presenter * Joan Moriarty (1923–2020), British nursing administrator *

Joan O'Malley Joan O'Malley (née Donovan) is a retired Canadian public servant who, on November 6, 1964, sewed the first Canadian flag. She is sometimes referred to as Canada's Betsy Ross. November 6, 1964 During the 1963 federal election campaign, Prime Mini ...

(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 i ...

(born 1966), Nigerian politician * Joan Orenstein (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 Tony ...

(born 1929), English actress *

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

(active from ), materials scientist and professor at

Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvan ...

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, London ...

(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 Joan Raup Rosenblatt (April 15, 1926 – December 5, 2018) was an American statistician who became Director of the Computing and Applied Mathematics Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. She was president of the Caucus ...

(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 Hea ...

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

Joan Silber Joan Silber is an American novelist and short story writer. She won the 2017 National Book Critics Circle Award in Fiction and the 2018 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction for her novel ''Improvement''. Biography Joan Silber was born in 1945. She gr ...

(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 Joan Micklin Silver (May 24, 1935 – December 31, 2020) was an American director of films and plays. Born in Omaha, Silver moved to New York City in 1967 where she began writing and directing films. She is best known for Hester Street (film), ' ...

(1935–2020), American film director * Joan Staniswalis (1957–2018), American statistician *

Joan Steinbrenner Elizabeth Joan Steinbrenner (née Zieg; August 25, 1935 – December 14, 2018) was an American philanthropist and vice-chair of the New York Yankees baseball team. Early life and education Elizabeth Joan Zieg was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio to a ...

(1935–2018), American vice-chair of the New York Yankees baseball team * Joan Sutherland (1926–2010), Australian opera singer *

Joan Tewkesbury Joan Tewkesbury (born April 8, 1936) is an American film and television director, writer, producer, choreographer and actress. She had a long association with the celebrated director Robert Altman, writing the screenplays for '' Thieves Like Us ...

(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 York ...

(born 1938), American composer *

Joan Vass Joan Vass (1925-2011) was an American knitwear designer and founder of the company bearing her name. Early life and career Joan Isabel Kaplan was born in New York City on 19 May 1925. She studied philosophy and history of art at Vassar College, V ...

(1925-2011), American fashion designer. *

Joan Wexler Joan Gottesman Wexler (born 1946) is an American attorney who is a former dean and president of Brooklyn Law School. She is also a former president of the Federal Bar Council. Education Wexler attended Cornell University, (B.S., 1968), Harvard ...

(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 Joan Olivia Wyndham (11 October 1921, in East Knoyle, Wiltshire – 8 April 2007, in London) was a British writer and memoirist who rose to literary prominence late in life through the diaries she had kept more than 40 years earlier, which were a ...

(1921–2007), British writer and memoirist

Men

The following is a list of notable men known as ''Joan'' (): *

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 Joan Manuel Adon (born August 12, 1998) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2021. Career Adon signed with the Nationals in 2016 and started his pr ...

(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 publish ...

(1596–1673), Dutch cartographer *

Joan Boada Joan Boada (born ) is a Cuban retired ballet dancer, teacher and ballet master. His career started at the Cuban National Ballet, where he was promoted to principal dancer at age 16. He defected to France in 1994, then performed with several compa ...

, Cuban ballet dancer *

Joan Capdevila Joan Capdevila Méndez (; born 3 February 1978) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a left back. Over 15 seasons in La Liga, he amassed totals of 410 matches and 36 goals, mainly for Deportivo and Villarreal. In a 21-y ...

(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 Joan Cornellà Vázquez ( , ; born 11 January 1981) is a Spanish cartoonist and illustrator, famous for his unsettling, surreal humor and black humor comic strips as well as artwork. Biography Joan Cornellà Vázquez was born in Barcelona, S ...

(born 1981), Spanish cartoonist and illustrator *

Joan Daemen Joan Daemen (; born 1965) is a Belgian cryptographer who co-designed with Vincent Rijmen the Rijndael cipher, which was selected as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) in 2001. More recently, he co-designed the Keccak cryptographic hash, w ...

(born 1965), Belgian cryptographer and inventor of Rijndael * Joan Ignasi Elena (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 club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, that competes in La Liga, the top flight of Spanish football. Founded ...

Joan Gaspart Joan Gaspart i Solves (; born 11 October 1944) is a Spanish businessman and a former FC Barcelona president between July 2000 and February 2003. He was born in Barcelona. He was vice president of the club during the presidency of Josep Lluís Nu ...

(born 1944), Spanish businessman and president of FC Barcelona (2000–2003) *

Joan Laporta Joan Laporta Estruch (; born 29 June 1962) is a Spanish politician and current president of FC Barcelona. Laporta is a lawyer (he graduated from the University of Barcelona) with his own firm, Laporta & Arbós, which has a number of notable Sp ...

(born 1962), Spanish lawyer and president of FC Barcelona (2003–2010) *

Joan Llaneras Joan Llaneras Rosselló (born 17 May 1969 in Porreres, Majorca) is a former Spanish World and Olympic points race champion track cyclist. He specialises in the madison and points race events. Llaneras began his cycling career on the road with ...

(born 1969), Spanish track cyclist * Joan Majó (born 1938), Spanish politician * Joan Martorell (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 prem ...

(born 1997), Spanish motorcycle racer * Joan Miró (1893–1983), Spanish artist *

Joan Oumari Joan Noureddine Oumari (, ; born 19 August 1988) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for the Lebanon national team. After playing for eight seasons in Germany, between the fifth and second division, Oumari moved to Turkish ...

(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 (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 Fernánd ...

(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 Joan Villadelprat (born 15 November 1955) is the principal of the Spanish race team Epsilon Euskadi. He worked for McLaren, Scuderia Ferrari, Ferrari and Tyrrell Racing before joining Benetton Formula. He was formerly Operations Director and Team Ma ...

, 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 Joan Verdú Fernández (; born 5 May 1983) is a Spanish professional footballer. A versatile midfielder, adept as both central or attacking midfielder, he started professionally at Barcelona, but played mainly for local rivals Espanyol during ...

(born 1983), Spanish footballer *

Joan Voûte Joan George Erardus Gijsbertus Voûte (7 June 1879 – 20 August 1963) was a Dutch astronomer. He was born in Madioen, Java to a Huguenot family. He studied civil engineering at Delft, but while a student he gained an interest in astronomy&mdash ...

(1879–1963), Dutch astronomer *

Joan van der Waals Joan Henri van der Waals (2 May 1920 – 21 June 2022) was a Dutch physicist. He was professor of experimental physics at Leiden University between 1967 and 1989. He specialized in molecular physics and clathrate hydrates. One of 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 s ...

, 9th century legend *

Joan Clayton ''Girlfriends'' is an American sitcom television series that premiered on September 11, 2000, on UPN and aired on UPN's successor network, The CW, before being cancelled in 2008. The final episode aired on February 11, 2008. Episodes Broadc ...

, 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, 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'' character *

Joan Watson ''Elementary'' is an American procedural drama television series that presented a contemporary update of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character Sherlock Holmes. It was created by Robert Doherty and starred Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and ...

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

Explanatory notes

References

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