128 Variations of John - Page 4

  1. Zana
    • Origin:

      Polish variation of Jane; Hebrew, diminutive of Susanna
    • Description:

      An international possibility, heard from England and Israel to Poland, Latvia, and Albania.
  2. Jeanine
    • Origin:

      French variation of Jean
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Together with the more common (in France) Jeannine spelling, this feminine form of Jean was most popular in the 1930s in its home country, and in the 1960s in the US. It's fallen off the Top 1000 list since, but perhaps cute retro nickname Jeannie could tempt some vintage-loving parents back.
  3. Janos
    • Origin:

      Hungarian variation of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Pronounced YAH-nosh, has a serious, violin-playing air. Perhaps that's why it has so many nicknames: JANCKZI, JANCSI, JANI, JANKIA, JANKO.
  4. Janek
    • Origin:

      Polish
    • Meaning:

      "god is gracious"
    • Description:

      A short form of the very popular Polish name Jan, which is the equivalent of John in English. Short forms ending in -ek are very widespread in Poland, but it is rare that one is given as the official birth certificate name.
  5. Bevan
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "son of Evan"
    • Description:

      This Welsh surname might be an interesting alternative to the popular Evan, though that Bev beginning conjures up a fifty-five-year-old woman named Beverly.
  6. Hannes
    • Origin:

      German, Dutch, Scandinavian variation of Johannes
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Johannes never caught on in the US, but popular European short form Hannes may be more accessible.
  7. Janica
    • Origin:

      Variation of Jannik
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      With its upbeat Slavic/Scandinavian air, it has the most potential of all the Jan names.
  8. Yahya
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Turkish, and Persian form of Yochanan
    • Meaning:

      "God is Gracious"
    • Description:

      As a form of the Hebrew Yochanan, Yahya is an Islamic name that honors the prophet John the Baptist, making it one of many international forms of John. In Islamic tradition, Yahya is celebrated for his dedication to and understanding of scriptures from a young age and for his gentleness and sinless life.
      Currently popular in England and Wales, Yahya has also been on and off of the US Top 1000 charts since 2015.
  9. Oana
    • Origin:

      Romanian short form of Ioana
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      An lesser-known member of the John-Joan family, though popular in its native habitat, has never emigrated, possibly due to its non-intuitive pronunciation.
  10. Seanan
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Sean or Irish
    • Meaning:

      "wise, old"
    • Description:

      Seanan and its more-popular variation Senan are connected to the Latin word "senator" and are ancient saints' names, but may also be thought of as diminutives of Sean, the Irish form of John, given that the suffix "an" is an Irish diminutive meaning "little". Virtually unknown in the US, it might appeal as an update for the no-longer-stylish Sean.
  11. Johann
    • Origin:

      Variation of Johan
    • Description:

      The traditional German spelling of this name, used by Goethe, Bach and many other luminaries.
  12. Ohan
    • Origin:

      Armenian variation of John
    • Description:

      Strong and appealing Armenian choice, but could be confused with Owen.
  13. Jock
    • Origin:

      Scottish variation of Jack
    • Description:

      This is a Scottish pet form of John, the equivalent of Jack in England. Has long been used as a generic name for a Scotsman, here it's a generic name for a--well--jock.
  14. Yann
    • Origin:

      French/Breton variation of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      This might be a better choice than the similarly pronounced Jan, to avoid gender confusion.
  15. Juana
    • Origin:

      Spanish, feminine variation of Juan
    • Description:

      Juana has not achieved the popularity in the U.S. of the male version Juan. Whereas Juan has made it almost to the Top 50 on the U. S. hit parade, sister Juana has barely entered the thousand most popular.
  16. Ion
    • Origin:

      Romanian and Basque variation of John
    • Description:

      A cross between Ian and a group of atomic particles.
  17. Giannis
    • Origin:

      Modern Greek form of John, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Gianni, the Italian form of Johnny, has gotten popular in the US, and there's a good chance Giannis will be next, thanks to rising star basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is Greek. It makes an original spin on John or Jonas - though, it should be noted that the traditional Greek pronunciation would be YAH-nees. Other spelling variations are Iannis and Yanis - the latter perhaps being popular in France and on the rise in the UK.
  18. Evans
    • Origin:

      Welsh surname
    • Meaning:

      "the Lord is gracious"
    • Description:

      Evans is an historic Welsh patronymic surname, derived from Evan, which is a form of John. With Evan's popularity in the U.S. and the U.K. -- it's a Top 50 names -- the stylish s-ending version may also be on the rise.
  19. Yannis
    • Origin:

      Greek variation of John
    • Description:

      As common in Greece as John is here.
  20. Gahan
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "the Lord is gracious"
    • Description:

      Rare Scottish variant of John, with multicultural overtones.