"And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Joanna Meaning in the Bible
Joanna
girl
Joanna means "God is gracious," the feminine form of John. Unlike most names on this site, Joanna genuinely appears in the King James Bible: she was the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, who "ministered unto him of their substance" (Luke 8:3) and later carried word of the resurrection (Luke 24:10).
Is Joanna in the Bible?
Yes — Joanna appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 8:3.
Pronunciation:/jo-AN-uh/
OriginHebrew
MeaningGod is gracious
What does Joanna mean?
Joanna is a girl name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious". Joanna means "God is gracious" in Hebrew — the feminine form of John. She was the wife of Chuza, the steward of King Herod Antipas, making her a woman of significant social standing who risked everything to follow Jesus.
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Editor’s reflection
One of the women who followed Jesus, funded His ministry, and stood at the empty tomb.
Joanna is the Greek form of the Hebrew Yohanah, feminine of John, meaning 'the LORD is gracious' or 'Yahweh has been gracious.' In the King James Bible she is one of the most quietly important women in the Gospels. Luke 8:3 introduces her as 'the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward' — meaning she was married into the household of Herod Antipas, the same Herod who executed John the Baptist.
Despite that political proximity, Joanna became a follower of Jesus and used her wealth to support Him and the Twelve out of her own substance (Luke 8:3). She is named again in Luke 24:10 as one of the women who went to the tomb on the first Easter morning and carried the news of the resurrection back to the apostles. So the name Joanna belongs, in effect, to one of the first witnesses of the risen Christ.
For centuries the name has been used across Christian traditions in forms like Joan, Joanne, Jehanne, Ioana, and Giovanna. It carries a quieter dignity than most biblical women's names — a reminder that grace often works in the background.
“It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.”
Why parents choose Joanna today
- •Belongs to a named eyewitness of the resurrection
- •Works across every European language and spelling tradition
- •Same root as John — 'the Lord is gracious' — a full biblical sentence
What does Joanna mean in the Bible?
Joanna means "God is gracious" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Joanna means "God is gracious" in Hebrew — the feminine form of John. She was the wife of Chuza, the steward of King Herod Antipas, making her a woman of significant social standing who risked everything to follow Jesus.
Joanna is listed among the women who were healed by Jesus and then followed Him, supporting His ministry out of their own resources. Her position in Herod's court would have given her access to information about the political threats against Jesus.
She was also among the women who went to the tomb on Easter morning and found it empty. Joanna's willingness to leave the comfort and security of a royal household to follow an itinerant preacher demonstrates the compelling power of encountering Christ.
Where does Joanna appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Joanna is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Luke 8:3. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Joanna?
Joanna has 3 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Joanne
Common nicknames
Joan
Jo
Which books of the Bible mention Joanna?
Joanna is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Joanna?
Joanna's story shows that encountering God's grace compels us to surrender privilege and comfort. Her faith cost her social standing but gained her a place in the Gospel narrative forever.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Joanna:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
Related Reading
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Hebrews 13:8 — Meaning & Devotional
God's Faithfulness
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Hebrews 4:16 — Meaning & Devotional
Grace
Commentary
Hebrews 4:16 Commentary
In-depth study • Prayer & Grace
Word Meaning
Grace (Chen) (חֵן (chen))
Favor, charm, and gracious acceptance — finding kindness in another's eyes.
Strong's
Strong's H2580 — Grace (Chen)
חֵן (chen) • Favor, charm, and gracious acceptance — finding kindness in another's eyes.
Commentary
Hebrews 13:8 Commentary
In-depth study • The Unchanging Christ
What names are related to Joanna?
Names like Joanna
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "God is gracious" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Joanna
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Joanna
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Joanna name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes. Joanna appears twice in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 8:3 and Luke 24:10) as a woman who financially supported Jesus' ministry and later witnessed the empty tomb on Easter morning.
Yes — Joanna appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 8:3.
Joanna means "God is gracious." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Luke 8:3, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Joanna
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Joanna?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Joanna?
You can read every verse where Joanna appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.