Joanna vs Selena

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Joanna

Girl #329 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"God is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew via Greek and Latin

Cultural Roots

English Polish Spanish Greek Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#329
Total SSA Count
942
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Jo, Jojo, Anna

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Joanna →

Popularity Comparison

Joanna Rank #329
Selena Rank #245

Selena is more popular, ranked #245 vs #329 for Joanna.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Joanna ___

  • Joanna Rose
  • Joanna Marie
  • Joanna Elizabeth
  • Joanna Grace
  • Joanna Lee

Selena ___

  • Selena Rose
  • Selena Marie
  • Selena Grace
  • Selena Nicole
  • Selena Victoria
  • Selena Ann

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Joanna

Hannah Eliza Thomas Daniel Ruth

If you choose Selena

Elena Natalia Adrian Marco Isabella

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 Joanna or Selena more popular?

Selena is more popular, ranked #245 compared to Joanna at #329 in the United States.

What do Joanna and Selena mean?

Joanna means "God is gracious" (Hebrew via Greek and Latin origin). Selena means "moon" (Greek origin).

Are Joanna and Selena boy or girl names?

Joanna is primarily a girl name. Selena is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Joanna ← Full profile: Selena Browse all baby names