Ioannis

Ioannis is a Greek masculine given name, standing as the standard form of John in Greek. It derives from the Hebrew Yochanan, through the Latin Ioannes and the Greek Ioannes, with the meaning “Yahweh is gracious.” In modern Greek, Ioannis is a formal given name commonly shortened to Giannis or Yiannis in everyday use.

Variations and transliterations include Iannis (used by some writers and in the arts) and the more familiar diminutives Giannis and Yiannis. In other languages, the same root appears as Johannes, Giovanni, Jean, or John, reflecting the shared origin of the name.

Ioannis is especially common in Greece and Cyprus and among Greek-speaking communities worldwide, including the Greek diaspora in North America, Australia, and Europe. In Greek Orthodox tradition, the name is associated with saints named Ioannes, most notably Saint John the Apostle and Saint John the Baptist, which contributes to its prominence and to name-day customs observed by many families.

Notable people with the name include Ioannis Kapodistrias, a 19th-century Greek statesman who served as the first head of state of modern Greece; Ioannis Metaxas, a 20th-century Greek prime minister who established the 4th of August regime; and Iannis Xenakis, a Greek-French composer and architect whose work span disciplines beyond music. The form Giannis remains common in contemporary Greece and is widely used by athletes and public figures.