Giovanni

Giovanni is a masculine given name of Italian origin. It is the Italian form of John, derived from the Latin Ioannes, which in turn comes from the Hebrew Yochanan meaning “Yahweh is gracious.” The name has been widely used in Italy since the Middle Ages and remains common among people of Italian heritage worldwide.

In Italian, Giovanni has several diminutives and affectionate forms, including Gianni, Giovannino, and Gio. The nickname Vanni is also used. The name is often associated with religious and historical figures due to its biblical roots.

Equivalents of Giovanni in other languages include John (English), Jean (French), Juan (Spanish), and Johannes (German and Dutch). Variants and diminutives appear across cultures where the name John is common.

Notable people named Giovanni include the writer Giovanni Boccaccio (1313–1375), the philosopher Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463–1494), the painter Canaletto (Giovanni Antonio Canal, 1697–1768), the judge Giovanni Falcone (1939–1992), and the novelist Giovanni Verga (1840–1922). The name has also appeared in many other figures in science, arts, and religion.

Beyond a given name, Giovanni occasionally appears as a surname and is used in place names and churches, such as San Giovanni. The name remains widespread in Italian communities and in contexts relating to Italian culture.