Joanne

English

Alternative forms

• JoAnne, Jo-Anne, Jo Anne
• Joann, JoAnn, Jo-Ann, Jo Ann

Etymology

An Old French equivalent of English Joan, revived in the 20th century and often spelled Jo Ann or Jo Anne, as if a combination of Jo and Ann.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -æn

Proper noun

Joanne

1. A female given name.
   • 1824 John Gibson Lockhart, The History of Matthew Wald, E. Duyckinck, Collins & Hannay, page 112:

     "I have," said I; "and I have seen the young ladies too, except Miss Joanne."

     "Ye may just as weel lay by the Miss, and ca' her Joan, like her mother afore her, noo -

   • 1981 Margaret Atwood, Bodily Harm, Anchor Books, ISBN 0385491077, page 16:

     She changed it when she was thirty-eight because, as she said, what can you do with a name like Joanne? Too nice.