Joanna

[adamant-turtle.livejournal.com]

When I was born, my parents decided to name me Joanna Barbara, because they wanted names that were spelled and pronounced the same way in both English and Polish -- and there are only a handful of female names where you can do that.

I've never been crazy about the Barbara (even more so, because I went to Catholic school K-8, and had a nun named Sister Barbara, LOL!) but I never minded the Joanna. It was actually pretty common during my childhood, as I grew up in a Polish community (there were three Joannas in my grade alone, and a fourth a year younger...)

As I've gotten older, I've met a few other Joannas, but it doesn't seem all that common among the general (non-Polish) population. And in today's world of Jaydens and Ashleighs, I can't say I've heard anyone name their baby this at all.

For some inane reason, people have this need to get into all sorts of wacky variations. I'm a journalist, and I can't tell you how many press releases and things I get, addressed to "JoAnn" or "Johanna." If I actually HAD that H in my name, I'm telling you, no one would ever put it in :-/

The other thing I'm not all that crazy about is the nickname "Jo," which people seem to want to use automatically, and always reminds me of either Jo March from "Little Women" or Jo Polniaczek from "The Facts of Life." (Maybe that's why I grew up so tomboyish? LOL)

Anyways...any thoughts? (If you hate the name Joanna, go ahead and say so...I won't go and stalk your LJ or anything...)

Comments

[ohsoproudofyou.livejournal.com]

[miss-tee.livejournal.com]

I'm a journalist, and I can't tell you how many press releases and things I get, addressed to "JoAnn" or "Johanna." If I actually HAD that H in my name, I'm telling you, no one would ever put it in :-/
You're right because my mother's name is Johanna and everyone always leaves the H out or wants to call her Joanne. She does not go by Jo or any short form of her name. But when she was a little girl her father called her Hani (said like Honey) which is a German nickname of Johanna. I think that's cute.

[screaming--pink.livejournal.com]

Joanna --> Joanne --> JoAnn Fabric Store.

That's the quick association that goes with the name for me. I know what you mean about adding the H in, my name is Jaclyn and I'd be rich if I got a dollar each time someone spelled it JacKlyn. To me, the K doesn't even look right in there. Not to mention my nickname is Jac.. no K anywhere in it!

[sarahrose.livejournal.com]

My boss is named Joanna at my current job, and I like her, and I like the name. I would spell it like that, and I might actually consider it.

[suthnoli.livejournal.com]

I've a friend called Joanna, and we call her JoJo. My brother's name is Joe, so when we're all together it sounds like we have an extra person- "JoJo and Joe".

Anyway, I think Joanna's a lovely name.

[thejoysofjess.livejournal.com]

I like Joanna, but I like it with the H. My only issue with the name is the various spellings of it. Unfortunately, that's something we do tend to run into (It's one of the things I really dislike about Kate and Kate's one of my favorite names).

[krosp.livejournal.com]

I would think Kate is a fairly standard name to spell. Most names have some kind of a variation, but at least Kate has one spelling that reaaally stands out as the obvious one - very few people would presume it was spelled otherwise. Unlike my name (Claire) which is very often spelled Clare or Clair....

[sherball.livejournal.com]

It's an OK name. but definetly a name that isn't very popular these days. *shrug* I know a few joanna's and a Johanna. I personally prefer Johanna tho. :)

[sherball.livejournal.com]

oh and in my little world, Joanna and Johanna are pronounced totally differnet.. :)

[adamant-turtle.livejournal.com]

In mine too...but, go figure what people think :-/

[thorabrighid.livejournal.com]

I LOVE the name Joanna, but I hate the nickname Jo.

[in-the-starlite.livejournal.com]

I have a cousin named Johanne (but it's pronounced just like Joanna) and everyone calls her Joey. I actually really like that name.

[ciara-belle.livejournal.com]

I really, really like the name Joanna. And I think Jo is a cute nickname.

I think that no matter how common the name is, people will find a way to misspell it. I don't think of Sara, Rachel and Jennifer as uncommon names, but all the people I know with those names say that their names are misspelled at least half the time.

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

Sarah, Rachael and Jenniffer are my guesses for the ways their names are mispelled.

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

I know a WONDERFUL person named Joanna, so I do like the name, although I wouldn't pick it. I prefer the Biblical character's friend, Susanna. That is my top name right now.

I like the nn Jo or Joey, but more for Josephine than Joanna.

[adamant-turtle.livejournal.com]

LOL! I think that in my mind, Joey will always and forever be Katie Holmes/Dawson's Creek... :-0

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

That is my favorite show ever. So I have no problem with it. :)

[anapology.livejournal.com]

I absolutely hate it. POssibly because i know an awful ex friend by that name, it makes me cringe. I really dislike Jo, but i like Anna a lot.
I think Joanne is worse though. I like Jo March!