Yannis Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YAH-nis //ˈjænɪs//
Origin: Greek; Hebrew
Meaning: Greek: God is gracious; Hebrew: He will be gracious
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Yannis is of Greek origin, derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." The evolution of the name can be traced from Hebrew to Greek, where it appears as Ioannis (Ιωάννης), and subsequently into Latin as Iohannes. The name made its way into various languages, including Old French as Johan and eventually into English as John.
The transition to Yannis represents a phonetic adaptation that retains the essence of the original name while aligning with Greek linguistic patterns. Historically, the name Yannis has been associated with several significant figures, particularly in the context of Christianity.
One of the most notable is Saint John the Baptist, a prominent biblical figure whose life and teachings are central to Christian theology. The name has been borne by various saints throughout the centuries, contributing to its enduring presence in Christian communities.
The Greek Orthodox Church, in particular, has celebrated numerous saints named Ioannis, further solidifying the name's cultural significance in Greek heritage. Culturally, Yannis is often linked to themes of grace and divine favor, reflecting its etymological roots.
The name has been a staple in Greek tradition, often used in religious contexts and associated with various cultural practices and celebrations. The diminutive form, Giannis, is also prevalent in Greece and carries similar connotations.
Overall, Yannis embodies a rich historical and cultural legacy, representing both a connection to biblical narratives and a lasting presence in Greek identity.
Famous people named Yannis
In this section, you will find notable people named Yannis. 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 Yannis who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Yannis 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.
Yannis Philippakis is a musician best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Foals, known for albums like 'Antidotes' and 'What Went Down'.
Yannis Pappas is a comedian and actor best known for his work on 'The Standups', 'This Week at the Comedy Cellar', and his podcast 'LongDays'.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Yannis, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Yannis. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Yannis was first seen in the United States in 1973.
Yannis has ranked as high as #1350 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, New York, North Carolina, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Yannis has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Yannis 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 Yannis was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Yannis (2023)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
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 Yannis.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2023 | 43 |
| 2022 | 43 |
| 2021 | 41 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2019 | 32 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2008 | 16 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2006 | 23 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2002 | 18 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 1999 | 11 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1997 | 10 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1994 | 14 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1986 | 5 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1981 | 5 |
| 1973 | 5 |