Rising since 1999, #2,539 for boys today.
Popularity of Yanis since 1998
Babies named Yanis per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 12 | 5 |
| 2000s | 60 | 87 |
| 2010s | 32 | 241 |
| 2020s | 30 | 341 |
Meaning & origin
Yanis first appeared on the U.S. baby name charts in 1998, and has been steadily rising in popularity since 1999, reaching its peak rank in 2021. In 2025, the name ranked 2539 with approximately 1 in 32848 boys receiving the name. Yanis is particularly popular in Florida and Texas, reflecting its appeal among communities with Greek heritage and contemporary parents seeking a short, international-sounding name. Its rise mirrors a broader trend of names with European flair gaining traction in the United States.
Yanis is a modern variant of Yannis, a Greek form of John. The name John derives from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' The spelling Yanis began gaining use outside of Greece in the late 20th century, particularly in France and other parts of Europe, as a streamlined alternative to the traditional Yannis.
Where Yanis is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Yanis” around the world
Where Yanis lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#81
in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Quebec
53
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yani
Sibling names for Yanis
Names that share Yanis's style, for a brother or sister.
