Joan vs Semaj

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Joan

Boy #1,014 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"God is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Catalan American Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,014
Total SSA Count
220
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Jo

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
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Semaj

Boy #1,067 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"James reversed — an ananym honoring the name James"

Origin: Modern American

Cultural Roots

American African American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,067
Total SSA Count
204
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Sem, Maj

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Semaj →

Popularity Comparison

Joan Rank #1,014
Semaj Rank #1,067

Joan is more popular, ranked #1014 vs #1067 for Semaj.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Joan ___

  • Joan Michael
  • Joan David
  • Joan Anthony
  • Joan Christopher
  • Joan Paul
  • Joan Joseph

Semaj ___

  • Semaj James
  • Semaj Ray
  • Semaj Deon
  • Semaj Andre
  • Semaj Marcus

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Joan

Maria Pau Marc Anna Pere

If you choose Semaj

Amari Jaylen Zion Naomi Destiny

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Joan or Semaj more popular?

Joan is more popular, ranked #1014 compared to Semaj at #1067 in the United States.

What do Joan and Semaj mean?

Joan means "God is gracious" (Hebrew origin). Semaj means "James reversed — an ananym honoring the name James" (Modern American origin).

Are Joan and Semaj boy or girl names?

Joan is primarily a boy name. Semaj is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Joan ← Full profile: Semaj Browse all baby names