How Many People Are Named Joan?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Joan

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 2,261 living people in the United States currently have the first name Joan. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 5,083 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #554 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~2,261CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)5,083Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#554U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1941 (93 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~2,261
Historical Births (SSA)
5,083
All-Time Rank
#554
Historical Peak
1941

Key Insights for Joan

Estimated Living Bearers
~2,261 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#554
Distinctive First Name
Historical Peak Year
1941
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
100% Male · 0% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~283 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Joan

Living Population Model
~2,261

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
5,083

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
3,715

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
53.2 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1941

Highest annual total: 93 registrations in 1941.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (+0%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Joan has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Joan (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1941 (~93 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201021210
201121210
201221210
201321210
201421210
201521210
201621210
201721210
201821210
201921210
202021210
202121210
202221210
202321210
202421210

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
98/100
1950s
80/100
1960s
49/100
1970s
24/100
1980s
11/100
1990s
7/100
2000s
23/100
2010s
23/100
2020s
11/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Joan is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (100% male births).

Male: 100% (~5,083 births)Female: 0% (~0 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Joan

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Joan in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Joan appeared 3,715 times, ranking #265 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
3,715 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#265
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Joan Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~283 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~28312.5%
Texas (TX)~2089.2%
Florida (FL)~1546.8%
New York (NY)~1386.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~904%
Illinois (IL)~883.9%
Ohio (OH)~813.6%
Georgia (GA)~753.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 2,261 people named Joan are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 53.2 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Joan: 53.2 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

Explore all variants →

Frequently Asked Questions About Joan

How many people in the U.S. are named Joan?

Approximately 2,261 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Joan. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 5,083 birth applications for Joan between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Joan?

Joan ranks #554 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This positions Joan as a distinctive name with established historical recognition.

When was the name Joan most popular in America?

The name Joan reached its peak historical popularity in 1941, when 93 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Joan?

Joan has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Joan?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Joan is overwhelmingly recorded as a masculine first name (100% male births).

Where is the name Joan most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Joan resides in California, with approximately 283 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Joan in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Joan appeared 3,715 times in census returns, ranking #265 in official 2020 returns.

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