MallowbyNames

Yohannes

ዮሐንስyo-HAHN-nes · Yohannes is a variant of Johannes, meaning "God is gracious."

2025 rank (boys)
#4,707
Babies named in 2025
21
Peak popularity
2022
2025 frequency
1 in 81,337 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Rising since 1997

Rising since 1997, #4,707 for boys today.

Popularity of Yohannes since 1986

Babies named Yohannes per year in U.S. Social Security records.

817251990200020102020Most births 2019Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1980s12
1990s39
2000s76
2010s186
2020s127

Meaning & origin

Yohannes is a distinctive Ethiopian and Eritrean form of the classic biblical name John. It has been in use in the United States since 1986, with a notable rise in popularity since the late 1990s. As of 2025, it ranked 4,707 nationally, reaching its highest rank in 2022. The name is most common in the District of Columbia, reflecting its use in communities with Ethiopian and Eritrean heritage. Yohannes has a strong cultural and religious significance in the Orthodox Tewahedo tradition, making it a meaningful choice for families honoring that heritage.

Yohannes is the Ethiopian and Eritrean form of Johannes, itself derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." It is a common name in the Orthodox Tewahedo tradition and has been borne by several emperors of Ethiopia, including Yohannes IV (reigned 1872-1889). The name appears in the Ge'ez and Amharic versions of the Bible as the equivalent of John.

Where Yohannes is most popular

Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Yoh, Yoyo, Hannes

Variants: Johannes, Yohannis, Yohanes

Sibling names for Yohannes

Names that share Yohannes's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

Y is for Yohannes, our favorite little boy.

Y is for Yohannes…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Yohannes's letter becomes Yohannes's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Yohannes's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Yohannes mean?
Yohannes means "God is gracious," derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan.
How popular is the name Yohannes?
Yohannes is rare in the United States. In 2025 it ranked 4,707, with about 1 in 81,337 boys given the name.
Is Yohannes a boy's or girl's name?
Yohannes is traditionally a boy's name.