Joanie is a feminine given name that originated as a diminutive form of the name Joan, which itself is a feminine form of the name John. The name John has its roots in the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." The name Joan emerged in medieval Europe, particularly in France and England, as a variant of the name John.

The earliest recorded usage of the diminutive form Joanie can be traced back to the late 16th century in England. It was a common nickname used to refer to girls named Joan, particularly in rural areas and among the working class. The name Joanie gained popularity in the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in the United States, where it was embraced as a more informal and affectionate variation of the name Joan.

One of the earliest historical references to the name Joanie can be found in the works of English playwright and poet William Shakespeare. In his play "The Merry Wives of Windsor," written around 1597, there is a character named Joanie, a maid in the household of one of the central characters.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Joanie. One prominent example is Joanie Sommers (1941-2020), an American singer and actress who rose to fame in the 1960s with popular recordings such as "Johnny Get Angry" and appearances on television shows like "The Ed Sullivan Show."

Another notable Joanie is Joanie Laurer (1970-2016), better known by her ring name Chyna, who was a professional wrestler, actress, and former bodybuilder. She made history as one of the first women to wrestle in the traditionally male-dominated sport of professional wrestling and was a trailblazer for female athletes in the industry.

Joanie Mitchell (1943-), known professionally as Joni Mitchell, is a Canadian singer-songwriter and painter. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential and iconic figures in the folk and popular music scenes of the 1960s and 1970s, with albums such as "Blue" and "Court and Spark" becoming seminal works of the era.

In the world of literature, Joanie Grogan is a fictional character in the novel "The Smoky Corridor" by British author Christopher Haviland, published in 1958. The novel explores the lives of working-class families in post-war England, and Joanie is portrayed as a young woman navigating the challenges and complexities of adulthood during that period.

Lastly, Joanie Caucus (1896-1981) was an American author and screenwriter who co-wrote the screenplay for the classic film "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in 1939, which starred Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara. Her contributions to the adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel were widely praised and helped bring the timeless story to a new generation of audiences.