Johnna is a unique and captivating name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is gracious." It is often used as a feminine variant of the more common male name John, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Johanan.
The name Johnna has a rich history dating back to biblical times. In the Old Testament, Johanan was a high priest who served during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. He was known for his wisdom and piety, qualities that have become associated with the name over time.
In more recent history, the name Johnna has been used in various cultures around the world. It gained popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, likely due to its association with the popular name John.
Today, Johnna remains a rare and distinctive name, often chosen by parents who want their daughter to stand out from the crowd while still honoring tradition. Its meaning, "God is gracious," imbues it with a sense of positivity and kindness, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a unique yet meaningful name.
The name Johnna has a fascinating history of usage in the United States over the past century. From its earliest appearances in the early 20th century to its peak popularity in the mid-20th century, and finally its decline into obscurity in recent years, the journey of this unique name tells an interesting story.
In the first few decades of the 20th century, Johnna was quite rare. Between 1919 and 1940, there were fewer than 30 births per year on average, with some years seeing as few as six births. However, starting in the early 1940s, things began to change. The number of girls named Johnna started to rise significantly, from 20 births in 1941 to a peak of 53 births in 1947.
The 1950s saw Johnna's popularity continue to grow, with over 40 births per year every year except for one. The name reached its zenith in the United States during this decade, with 106 births recorded in 1960 alone. This was a significant increase from previous years and marked the beginning of Johnna's most popular period.
The 1960s were an interesting time for the name Johnna. After reaching its peak in 1960, the number of girls named Johnna began to decline steadily throughout the decade. However, even with this decrease, Johnna was still relatively common compared to previous decades, with hundreds of births recorded each year.
The downward trend continued into the 1970s and 1980s, with fewer than 200 births per year on average during these two decades combined. Despite this decline in popularity, there were still several years where over 150 girls named Johnna were born.
In recent decades, Johnna has become quite rare once again. Since the turn of the century, there have been fewer than 30 births of girls named Johnna per year on average. The most recent data shows that in 2023, only 17 babies were named Johnna at birth.
Over the course of a century, Johnna has seen its fair share of ups and downs in popularity. From its humble beginnings to its brief moment in the spotlight, and finally its decline into obscurity, this unique name has left quite the mark on American naming history. Despite its current rarity, it's clear that there are still parents out there who appreciate the distinctiveness and uniqueness that a name like Johnna brings.