The name Joanna is derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious" or "God is gracious." It originated in ancient Israel during biblical times, several centuries before the Common Era. The name Yohanan was a masculine name, but the feminine form Joanna emerged later.

In the New Testament of the Bible, Joanna is mentioned as one of the women who followed Jesus and supported his ministry. She is described as the wife of Chuza, who was a steward of Herod Antipas. This is one of the earliest recorded instances of the name Joanna.

During the Middle Ages, the name Joanna gained popularity in Europe, particularly in regions with strong Christian traditions. It was often used as a variant of the name Joan, which was derived from the same Hebrew root.

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Joanna was Joanna of Navarre, who lived from 1370 to 1437. She was the Queen of England as the wife of King Henry IV. Another historical figure was Joanna of Castile, also known as Joanna the Mad, who lived from 1479 to 1555 and was the Queen of Castile and Aragon.

In the 16th century, Joanna Baillie, a Scottish poet and dramatist, was born in 1762 and lived until 1851. She was renowned for her plays and poems, which explored themes of passion and human nature.

Another famous Joanna was Joanna Southcott, an English religious prophetess who lived from 1750 to 1814. She gained a significant following and claimed to have received divine revelations.

In the 20th century, Joanna Lumley, a British actress and author, was born in 1946. She is best known for her roles in the popular television series "Absolutely Fabulous" and "The New Avengers."

While the name Joanna has been used across various cultures and regions, its roots can be traced back to ancient Israel and the Hebrew language, where it originated as a masculine name meaning "God is gracious."