Yankovic

Yankovic is a surname of Croatian origin. It is an Anglicized form of Janković, a patronymic meaning “son of Janko” (John). The name is most commonly associated with people of Croatian and broader Balkan heritage and has spread to diaspora communities, particularly in the United States and Canada.

Notable individuals with the surname include Alfred Matthew Yankovic (born 1959), known professionally as Weird Al Yankovic, an American musician famous for his satirical songs and music videos. His career spans several decades and has left a distinctive imprint on popular culture through parodies of contemporary songs and original compositions. Another prominent figure is Frank Yankovic (1916–1998), an American polka musician nicknamed “America’s Polka King” who played a key role in popularizing polka music in the United States.

Variant spellings and related names include Janković in the original Serbo-Croatian contexts and Yankovich in some English-speaking contexts. The name is typically treated as a family surname and is encountered among people of Balkan ancestry as well as their descendants around the world.