My first name is Joann.
According to babynamefacts.com here are some facts:
Gender: girl
Syllables: 2
Characters: 5
Pronunciation: jo-ANN
Origin and Meaning: variation of Joan, gift from God
The name Joann peaked in popularity in the 1930's and 1940's when it was 77th most popular.
Apparently, due to the fact that the majority of people who were of reading age in those decades aren't working in doctors offices, it's too complicated of a name to understand over the telephone.
Conversation with my doc's office just now:
Me: Hello, I'd like to leave a message for the nurse Stephanie, she phoned me on Friday and I have a few questions for her.
Pronunciation/Spelling challenged receptionist: Ok, what is your first name?
Me: jo-ANN J-O-A-N-N
PSCR: What?!
Me: JO-ANN J-O-A-N-N
PSCR: Joann?!
Me: Yes, that is correct.
PSCR: What is your last name?
Me: Petty P-E-T-T-Y
PSCR: P-E-T, what?!
I guess the less letters you have in your name the more complicated it is to figure out. It's not like my name is Jamorquai Josefus Penelope Petunia. I guess I should just flash through time back to the 40's where everybody knows my name.
