God is Gracious

A surprising amount of names have the same meaning, all stemming from a father name, John.
  1. Eoin
    • Origin:

      Irish, variation of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Though Eoin is a Gaelic form of John, its Anglicized pronunciation links it directly to Owen. Eoin is currently a Top 30 name in Ireland. Other variations: Ewan, Ewen, Evan and Eoghan (pronounced as Owen but also translated as Eugene).
  2. Gianna
    • Origin:

      Italian, diminutive of Giovanna or feminization of Gianni, forms of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      The Italian Gianna undoubtedly owes much of its popularity in the US to its status as an honor name for John. Before the importation of Gianna, there was no truly workable feminine form of John, so Gianna found widespread favor among American parents with Italian roots and far beyond.
  3. Gianni
    • Origin:

      Italian, diminutive of Giovanni, variation of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Gianni, the Italian equivalent of Johnny, sounds more substantial and fresh. Like many names starting with "Gian", it is on a rising trend (for both boys and girls, though it leans more male). TV star Jill Hennessey's son is named Gianni Mastropietro.
  4. Giovanna
    • Origin:

      Italian, feminine variation of Giovanni
    • Description:

      Like Galilea and Livia, one of the Italian names that fashionable American parents—with or without Italian roots—have started to choose for their daughters. It has endured ups and downs since entering the popularity charts in 1991.
  5. Giovanni
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Giovanni is a venerable Italian classic that suddenly sounds fresh and cool. Ubiquitous in Italy, it has countless notable namesakes, from writer Boccaccio to designer Versace (nn Gianni).
  6. Hans
    • Origin:

      German, Dutch, and Scandinavian, diminutive of Johannes
    • Description:

      Though familiar to all via such childhood icons as Hans Brinker, Hans(el) and Gretel, and Hans Christian Andersen, few Americans have chosen this name for their sons because of its intractably Old Country image.
  7. Ian
    • Origin:

      Scottish version of John
    • Meaning:

      "the Lord is gracious"
    • Description:

      Ian is Scottish form of John, derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan. It is an Anglicization of the Scottish Gaelic Iain, which is also a viable spelling. Ian was introduced to Americans by Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond.
  8. Ianna
    • Ioanna
      • Origin:

        Greek variation of Joanna
      • Description:

        Ioanna may be an original spin on the Joanna family, but American tongues may have trouble wrapping themselves around all its vowels. Ioanna is pronounced ee-oh-ah-nah.
    • Ion
      • Origin:

        Romanian and Basque variation of John
      • Description:

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

        Russian variation of John
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        Though some might find it a bit heavy-booted, Ivan is one of the few Russian boys' names to become fully accepted into the American naming pool.
    • Ivana
      • Origin:

        Feminine variation of Ivan
      • Description:

        A rarely used Slavic name until the Czech-born ex-Mrs. Trump took it over the top. Daughter's name Ivanka adds a dollop of charm.
    • Ivanka
      • Origin:

        Variation of Ivana
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        High-profile First Daughter Trump bears a nickname for her mother's name, Ivana. But though quite common in Slavic countries, and despite its international appeal, Ivanka is likely to remain a Singe-Celebrity name in the US — the Oprah of the political world — for the foreseeable future. Ivanka's larger impact on names may be inspiring parents to name their daughters after their moms.
    • Jan
      • Origin:

        Feminine variation of John
      • Description:

        Very Brady Bunch.
    • Jane
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        No, we don't consider Jane too plain. In fact, for a venerable and short one-syllable name, we think it packs a surprising amount of punch, as compared to the related Jean and Joan.
    • Janelle
      • Origin:

        American, modern elaboration of Jane
      • Description:

        It's far cooler to drop the first syllable and go for Elle.
    • Janet
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Jane
      • Meaning:

        "God's gracious gift"
      • Description:

        Janet started as a pet form of Jane but has long been used independently. Jane is a feminine form of John, which derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan. Janet can also be considered a variation of Jeannette, a derivative of Joan and another feminization of the name John.
    • Janice
      • Origin:

        Variation of Jane
      • Meaning:

        "God's gracious gift"
      • Description:

        For a minute or two this sounded more modern than Janet, now equally outmoded.
    • Janis
      • Origin:

        Variation of Jane
      • Description:

        Last moment of glory was in the Janis Joplin sixties.
    • Jean
      • Origin:

        English and Scottish, from French variation of Johanna
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        Originally a feminine of John, Jean was popular in Scotland long before it found favor elsewhere, and had its most shining moment here in the era of Jean Harlow (born Harlean), ultimate symbol of silver screen glamour. Now, though there are many grandmas and even moms with the name, it doesn't seem all that baby-friendly. Though that could change, and Jean could join Jane.