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Ioannis

♂ Boy

Pronounced yoh-AH-nees /joˈɑ.nis/High

Meaning: Greek form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious' — the name in its New Testament homelandHigh

In 30 seconds: John in the original Greek of the Gospels: Ioannis is how the Baptist and the Evangelist are actually written in the New Testament. Every John on Earth is its grandchild.
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Origin HighGreek, Hebrew
MeaningGreek form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious' — the name in its New Testament homeland
U.S. rank (2024)#3348 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births35 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,370

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201819642024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Ioannis is the Greek John — descended from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious', via the New Testament's Ioannes, the form behind every European John from Juan to Ivan. Greece keeps it among its most common men's names, with name-day celebrations each January; Yannis and Giannis are its working nicknames.

Basketball superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo introduced America to the nickname; the formal Ioannis remains rare stateside, a passport-stamped classic for Greek-American families.

Did you know? When you read 'John' in the New Testament, the Greek text says Ioannes — meaning this 'exotic' name is the most textually authentic John there is.
Overall data confidence 93%
Behind the Name — Ioannis — Greek form

Variations

GiannisYannisYiannis

Nicknames

YannisGiannisYanni

Famous Bearers

  • ★Ioannis Kapodistrias (1776–1831)
    First head of state of independent Greece.

If you like Ioannis…

Giannis— the famous modern Greek short form
Dimitrios— the fellow bedrock Greek classic
Johannes— the Latin-German brother form of the same root
Genesis— lands in the same popularity range
Jenesis— the same biblical feel

Browse the whole category: All Greek names →  ·  All Hebrew names →  ·  All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ioannis mean?

Ioannis is the Greek form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious'.

How do you pronounce Ioannis?

It's said yoh-AH-nees /joˈɑ.nis/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Ioannis a boy or girl name?

Ioannis is a boy's name; Ioanna is the feminine.

How popular is Ioannis?

Ioannis is rare in the U.S. and among the most common names in Greece.