ianni

Ianni is a surname of Italian origin and, less commonly, a given name in some communities. The surname is derived from Gianni, a diminutive of Giovanni (John). As a patronymic, Ianni historically signified a person associated with or the descendants of someone named Gianni, with the -i suffix functioning as a plural or family marker in Italian naming conventions.

Geographic distribution: The name is attested across Italy and is carried by Italian diaspora communities worldwide. In genealogical records, Ianni appears in central and southern regions of Italy and among emigrant populations in the Americas and other regions, reflecting patterns typical of Italian patronymic surnames.

Variants and related names: Gianni is a closely related given name; surnames such as Giannini and Giannetti share the same root. The form Ianni may arise from dialectal spelling or transliteration in which the initial G is dropped.

Notable bearers: The name has been borne by individuals in various fields including sports, academia, and the arts; biographies and lists of people named Ianni can be found in biographical registries and contextual sources.

See also: Gianni, Giannini, Giannetti, and other patronymic Italian surnames derived from Giovanni.