Declining since 2022, #3,949 for boys today.
Popularity of Yannis since 1973
Babies named Yannis per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 | 16 |
| 1990s | 0 | 85 |
| 2000s | 57 | 131 |
| 2010s | 46 | 143 |
| 2020s | 54 | 206 |
Meaning & origin
Yannis first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1973. The name reached its peak popularity in 2023, reflecting a growing interest in distinctive Greek names. As of 2025, it ranks 3,949, with a 1 in 63,262 birth rate, showing a slight decline in recent years. Yannis has been most common in New York, home to a vibrant Greek-American community. While it remains rare nationally, its steady usage over the past two decades suggests a niche but enduring appeal.
Yannis is a modern Greek form of Ioannis, which derives from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' The name has been common in Greece since the spread of Christianity and is a variant of the standard Greek name Yiannis.
Where Yannis is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Yannis” around the world
Where Yannis lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
75
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yanni, Yan, Yannakos
Sibling names for Yannis
Names that share Yannis's style, for a brother or sister.
