Yohanan

Yohanan, also spelled Yoḥanan or Yehonanan, is the Hebrew form of the given name John. It derives from the elements Yeho- (Yahweh) and hanan (gracious). The name has counterparts in many languages, including John in English, Ioannes in Greek, Juan in Spanish, Jean in French, Giovanni in Italian, and Ian in English.

In Jewish history, Yohanan ben Zakkai (c. 1st century CE) is a prominent figure. A leading sage around the time of the destruction of the Second Temple, he is traditionally credited with founding the Rabbinic academy at Yavne and with guiding the reorganization of Jewish life and study in the post-Temple era.

In Christian tradition, the name corresponds to John the Baptist and John the Apostle. John the Baptist is described as a prophetic preacher who prepared the way for Jesus, while John the Apostle is one of Jesus's twelve disciples and is traditionally associated with the Gospel of John and the Johannine epistles. In Hebrew and Aramaic sources, these figures would be referred to as Yoḥanan.

Today, Yohanan remains a common personal name in Hebrew-speaking communities and among Christians in various languages, with numerous variants and spellings. It is used across historical periods and in modern times for both religious and secular naming.