The name Yoan has its origins in the Greek language and can be traced back to the late classical and early Byzantine period. It is derived from the Greek name Ioannes, which is a Hellenized form of the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious" or "God is gracious."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the New Testament of the Bible, where it is used for John the Baptist and John the Apostle. In the Byzantine Empire, the name was widely used and borne by several notable figures, including Yoan Tzimiskes, a famous Byzantine emperor who reigned from 969 to 976 AD.

During the Middle Ages, the name Yoan spread across Europe, particularly in regions with strong Greek cultural influences, such as parts of Italy and the Balkans. In the 14th century, the Italian poet and scholar Yoan Boccaccio, best known for his work "The Decameron," was a prominent figure who bore this name.

In the 15th century, the name Yoan was also adopted in some parts of Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia and Ukraine. One notable figure from this period was Yoan IV, also known as Ivan the Terrible, who ruled as the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1584.

Another significant historical figure with the name Yoan was the French philosopher and mathematician Yoan Buridan, who lived in the 14th century and is best known for his work on logic and the concept of "Buridan's Ass."

In the 19th century, the name Yoan gained popularity in parts of the Slavic world, especially in Bulgaria and Serbia. One notable figure from this period was Yoan Rilski, a renowned Bulgarian writer and poet who lived from 1837 to 1898 and is considered one of the founders of modern Bulgarian literature.