Yanis Unisex

Popularity: #886 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YAH-nis //ˈjɑː.nɪs//

Origin: Greek; Hebrew

Meaning: God is gracious (Hebrew); gift of God (Greek)

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Yanis is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, which means "God is gracious." This name was transmitted through various linguistic transformations, first appearing in Greek as Ioannis. The Greek form was then adopted into Latin as Johannes, which influenced several European languages.

The transition into English occurred through Old French, where it became known as John, a name that has had significant historical and cultural resonance in the English-speaking world. Throughout history, the name Yanis has been associated with numerous notable figures, particularly in the Christian tradition.

One of the most prominent is John the Baptist, a key figure in the New Testament, who is often celebrated for his role in heralding the coming of Jesus Christ. The name also appears in the context of various saints, including Saint John the Apostle, who is traditionally credited with writing the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation.

These biblical associations have contributed to the name's enduring significance across cultures and languages. In addition to its religious connotations, the name Yanis has been embraced in various cultures, particularly in Greek and Slavic contexts, where it is often used as a diminutive or variant of Ioannis.

The name carries connotations of grace and divine favor, which have supported its continued use over centuries. Yanis, as a variant, reflects the broader tradition of names derived from Yochanan, emphasizing the cultural importance of names that signify divine attributes.

This historical lineage and the name's association with revered figures have ensured its lasting presence in various cultures.

Famous people named Yanis

In this section, you will find notable people named Yanis. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Yanis who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Yanis who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Yanis Marshall is a choreographer and dancer best known for his appearances on Britain's Got Talent and his dance workshops.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Yanis, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Yanis was first seen in the United States in 1998.

Yanis has ranked as high as #4037 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in New York, Texas, Florida, California, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Yanis has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Yanis is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Yanis was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Yanis.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 52 52 0
2024 63 57 6
2023 61 56 5
2022 68 62 6
2021 81 68 13
2020 46 46 0
2019 42 42 0
2018 41 36 5
2017 29 29 0
2016 26 26 0
2015 35 29 6
2014 33 25 8
2013 24 18 6
2012 12 12 0
2011 14 14 0
2010 17 10 7
2009 23 14 9
2008 21 11 10
2007 26 19 7
2006 16 10 6
2005 13 5 8
2004 14 6 8
2003 11 5 6
2002 8 8 0
2001 15 9 6
1999 6 0 6
1998 11 5 6

Top States for Yanis (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 5
33%
TX 5
33%
IL 5
33%