Contribute your knowledge to the name Johanna

Comments and insights on the name Johanna

This is a great cross-cultural name, as it is a classic in several diverse European countries, such as Ireland and Germany.

Personal experiences with the name Johanna

This was my grandmother's name, though she always was known as Joanne. I like it very much but am not fond of the nickname options.
I gave my youngest daughter this name. It was by an accident really,but I'm so glad I did. I went thru my pregnancy with her, believing she would be a boy. My plan was to name her after my grandfather's which would therefore be John Andrew. However, after much deliberation and my Mom's influence, she became Johanna.
My parents chose the German pronunciation, yo-HAH-na, partly to honor our German and Swiss heritage but mainly because they preferred the sound. To my ears also, this pronunciation is less harsh and more musical. It also evokes classical composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Johannes Brahms (and astronomer Johannes Kepler), contributing to a formal, elegant, somewhat old-fashioned impression. I find it a strong name with a light touch - a nice alternative perhaps if you are looking for a feminine form of John that doesn't sound "cute" or such an obvious derivative of a male name. The two main downsides are the inevitable nickname "Yoyo" and constantly having to spell it for people. (I suspect this is somewhat true even with the hard J pronunciation though, since people are not consistent about pronouncing the h.)

My niece is named Johanna (with a hard H). Her grandmother was a Johanna and she has a cousin who is a Johanna. She goes by Joanie. It's pretty uncommon these days, which is nice for when she goes to school. I had a unique name growing up and it was nice to know when someone says your name they mean you and not someone else! :)

I have Johanna in my full name. It's pronounced the German way, yo-HANN-a. Everyone reads it out wrong (unless we're in Germany, of course). u o u

Nicknames for Johanna

Joanie, Jo, Jo-Jo, Joey, Joni, Jona, Hanna, Hannie, Janna, Jenny, Anna, Josie, Jody, Jodi, Ana, Ona.

Meanings and history of the name Johanna

Johanna is the feminine form of the name John, meaning "God's gracious gift".

Famous real-life people named Johanna

Johannah Duggar, one of the children on TLC's "19 Kids and Counting"
Johanna "Jenny" Lind, 19th century Swedish opera singer.
Johanna Spyri, author of the children's story "Heidi".
Johanna was the real first name of Annie Sullivan, the beloved "Teacher" of Helen Keller immortalized in "The Miracle Worker". She was baptized Johanna, but always called Anne or Annie.

Johanna in song, story & screen

Johanna Mason - From Suzanne Collins Trilogy The Hunger Games Appearing in Catching Fire and Mockingjay and in the movie adaptions is played by Jena Malone.
In the musical Sweeney Todd, Johanna Barker is Lucy's daughter, who is "beautiful with yellow hair like wheat". She is the object of both Anthony and Sweeney Todd's affections.
"Visions of Johanna", wonderful Bob Dylan song.
Johanna Reyes, minor character in the Divergent series by Veronica Roth
Johanna Patterson, character from The Name of the Game by Nora Roberts