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Johann

♂ Boy

Pronounced YOH-han /ˈjoː.han/Medium

Meaning: Yahweh is graciousMedium

In 30 seconds: Johann is the German form of John, meaning 'Yahweh is gracious'.
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Origin MediumGerman
MeaningYahweh is gracious
U.S. rank (2024)#1792 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births91 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2010
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,784

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201019122024

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

History & Origin

It descends from the Hebrew name behind John, whose meaning is 'Yahweh is gracious' or 'God is gracious'. German speakers shaped it as Johann, with the fuller Johannes alongside it. Related forms include the Dutch and Scandinavian Jan and Jens.

The name carries strong cultural weight in German-speaking Europe, where it has long been a classic. Bearers include the Austrian statesman Johann Schober (1874-1932), and the Icelandic spelling appears as Johann Hafstein (1915-1980).

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Johann is ' Yahweh is gracious', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Johann — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

JanJohannesJensJannieGjon

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Johann Schober (1874–1932)
    Male public figure listed on Behind the Name.
  • ★Jóhann Hafstein (1915–1980)
    Male public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Johann…

Jan— A listed short form used in Dutch and German for the same name.
John— The English form Johann corresponds to, with the shared 'Yahweh is gracious' meaning.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Johann mean?

Johann is usually explained as meaning ' Yahweh is gracious' and is most often linked with German tradition.

How do you pronounce Johann?

It's commonly said YOH-han /ˈjoː.han/.

Is Johann a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Johann is used as a boy name.

How popular is Johann?

In 2024, Johann ranked #1792 in the U.S. for boys, with 91 births recorded.