Holding steady.
Popularity of Jannis since 1933
Babies named Jannis per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 55 |
| 1940s | 134 |
| 1950s | 129 |
| 1960s | 60 |
| 1970s | 13 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 8 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Jannis is a name with deep roots in Greek, Dutch, and German traditions, ultimately tracing back to the Hebrew Yohanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' In the United States, the name first appeared in Social Security records in 1933 and saw its peak year in 1947, though it has never reached the top 1000. Its trajectory has been stable, indicating consistent but low-frequency use. The name is largely concentrated in areas with German or Dutch heritage, but its top states are not recorded. Parents today may appreciate Jannis as a distinctive alternative to the more common John or Jan, offering a multicultural edge without being unfamiliar.
Jannis is a Dutch and German variant of Jan, itself a form of John (from Hebrew Yohanan, meaning 'God is gracious'). In Greek, Jannis (or Yannis) is a diminutive of Ioannis, the Greek form of John. The name has been used in the Low Countries and German-speaking Europe, often as a short form of Johannes, and has seen modest but steady use since the early 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jan, Jannes, Jann
Sibling names for Jannis
Names that share Jannis's style, for a brother or sister.
