Giannis

Giannis is a familiar Modern Greek form of Ioannis, the Greek counterpart of John. The wider name family goes back to a Hebrew expression meaning God is gracious. In Greek, the opening sound is closer to an English y than to the j of John, which explains the alternative spelling Yannis.

Basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo has made this particular Latin-letter spelling especially recognizable internationally. Giannis is distinct from Italian Gianni, even though both ultimately belong to the John family. Ioannis offers the fuller Greek form, while Yannis and Yanis represent nearby transliteration choices. A family choosing Giannis can preserve a specific Greek identity while honoring the much broader tradition associated with John.