"God is gracious"
Origin: Hebrew via Greek
Language: English
Yanis
Pronunciation: [ y-AN-uhs ]
Does Yanis flow with your last name?
The Greek form of John, sleek and international
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Meaning & Origin
"gift of God"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
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The Story of Yanis
Yanis is the Greek form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan meaning 'God is gracious.' In modern Greek, the most common form is Ioannis, with Yannis being the colloquial spoken form and Yanis an alternate spelling used in French-speaking and international contexts. The name has been carried by Greeks since the Byzantine era and is deeply embedded in Greek Orthodox Christian culture.
Yanis gained international recognition in the 2010s largely due to Yanis Varoufakis, the outspoken Greek Finance Minister during the 2015 debt crisis. His media presence introduced the spelling to global audiences. In France and Francophone North Africa, Yanis has been a popular spelling for years, appearing regularly in French baby name charts.
In Greek culture, Ioannis/Yannis is one of the most deeply traditional names, honored through the feast of Saint John the Baptist. The name Yanis specifically bridges Greek heritage with modern international identity, making it popular among Greek diaspora families who want a name that works in multiple cultural contexts.
Historical Record
Yanis first appeared in US Social Security records in 1998.
Over 621 babies have been named Yanis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Yanis is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,434 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Yanis/Yannis is one of the most common male names in Greece; some estimates suggest 10% of Greek men are named Yannis in some form
- Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek economist-politician, brought the name to global media prominence during the 2015 European debt crisis
Yanis in Other Languages
Greek
Γιάννης
Arabic
يانيس
French
Yanis
Hebrew
יוֹחָנָן
Italian
Giovanni
Spanish
Juan
Popularity Over Time
#2,434
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Yanis
Y
Yannis Philippakis
Musician
1986
Lead singer and guitarist of the British indie rock band Foals, known for their complex rhythmic style
Y
Yanis Varoufakis
Politician
1961
Greek economist and politician who served as Finance Minister of Greece in 2015 during the debt crisis, known for his un...
Greek economist and politician who served as Finance Minister of Greece in 2015 during the debt crisis, known for his unconventional style and economic writings
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Compare Yanis with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,434
- Total SSA Count
- 57
- Cultural Origins
- Greek French North African Mediterranean
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Yan
Yani
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Yanis
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Yanis is also used as a girl name, ranked #30471.
View Yanis as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Greek)
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Arabic root zaka origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Yanis
What does the name Yanis mean?
"God is gracious" (from Hebrew via Greek). "gift of God" (from Greek). Yanis is the Greek form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan meaning 'God is gracious.' In modern Greek, the most common form is Ioannis, with Yannis being the colloquial spoken form and Yanis an alternate spelling used in French-speaking and international contexts. The name has been carried by Greeks since the Byzantine era and is deeply embedded in Greek Orthodox Christian culture.
What is the origin of the name Yanis?
Yanis has Hebrew via Greek, Greek, French, North African, and Mediterranean origins. In Hebrew via Greek, it means "God is gracious". In Greek, it means "gift of God".
Is Yanis a boy or girl name?
Yanis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2434. As a girl name, it is ranked #30471. Yanis is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Yanis?
Yanis is pronounced y-AN-uhs.
How popular is the name Yanis?
Yanis is currently ranked #2434 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Yanis?
Common nicknames for Yanis include Yan and Yani.
What are good middle names for Yanis?
Popular middle name pairings include Yanis Alexander, Yanis Konstantinos, Yanis Mikhail, Yanis Andreas, Yanis Dimitri, Yanis Lucas, and Yanis Pierre.
What are good sibling names for Yanis?
Names that pair well with Yanis as siblings include Kostas, Nikos, Elena, Sofia, Alexis, Daphne, and Theo.
How many syllables does Yanis have?
Yanis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Yanis a common or rare name?
Yanis is an uncommon name, ranked #2434 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Yanis
Yanis is a boy name with Greek, French, North African, and Mediterranean origins . The name means "God is gracious" in Hebrew via Greek .
Is Yanis a boy or girl name? Yanis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,434 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #30,471. Yanis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Yanis is currently ranked #2,434 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Yanis has 2 syllables and is pronounced y-AN-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Yanis include Yan and Yani. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis