Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Giovanni
BoyItalian, Hebrew· “God is gracious”
- Meaning
- God is gracious
- Origin
- Italian, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- jee-oh-VAH-nee
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #123
- US babies 2025
- 2,939
- Best rank
- #117 (2010)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Giovanni
Giovanni is an Italian and Hebrew name that means “God is gracious”.
Giovanni is the Italian form of John, which comes from the Hebrew Yochanan, "God is gracious". Through John the Baptist and John the Apostle, it has been one of the most widely used names in Italy for many centuries. Famous bearers include the writer Giovanni Boccaccio, author of The Decameron, the painter Giovanni Bellini, and the composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Mozart's opera Don Giovanni also made the name internationally known. In English-speaking countries Giovanni has a romantic, expressive sound and signals Italian heritage. Common nicknames include Gio, Gianni and Vanni.
Popularity over time
Giovanni first appears in US Social Security records in 1907. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 63 different years, starting in 1907. Its best national rank was #117 in 2010, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,434 babies. In 2025, 2,939 babies were named Giovanni, and it ranked #123 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,782 in 1920, #2,651 in 1950, #612 in 1980, #201 in 2000, #117 in 2010, and #123 in 2025. Of the 89,368 US boys named Giovanni since records began, 34% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 24,227 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Max, Rylan, Cayden, Jaylen, and Drake.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Giovanni ranked highest in Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | #47 | 132 |
| New Mexico | #51 | 30 |
| Nevada | #52 | 49 |
| Delaware | #59 | 16 |
| New Jersey | #75 | 119 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Giovanni is usually pronounced jee-oh-VAH-nee, with four syllables. It has eight letters, starts with G and ends in “-ni”.
Middle names for Giovanni
A few middle names that flow with Giovanni: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Giovanni
Similar names
Matteo Boy
mah-TAY-oh
“gift of God” · Italian
#146
Giovani Boy
joh-VAH-nee
“variant of Giovanni, 'God is gracious'” · Italian
#1,312
Gianni Boy
JAH-nee
“short form of Giovanni, 'God is gracious'” · Italian
#524
Juan Boy
WAHN
“God is gracious” · Spanish
#159
Antonio Boy
an-TOH-nee-oh
“Roman family name; meaning uncertain” · Italian
#176
Miguel Boy
mee-GEHL
“who is like God?” · Spanish
#212
Emmanuel Boy
ih-MAN-yoo-uhl
“God is with us” · Hebrew
#179
Jude Boy
JOOD
“praised” · Hebrew
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Simon Boy
SY-muhn
“he has heard” · Hebrew
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Rafael Boy
rah-fy-EHL
“God has healed” · Hebrew
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Sergio Boy
SAIR-jee-oh
“from the Roman name Sergius” · Italian
#441
Marco Boy
MAR-koh
“warlike, from Mars” · Italian
#370
Lists that include Giovanni
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Giovanni mean?
Giovanni is an Italian and Hebrew name that means “God is gracious”.
What is the origin of the name Giovanni?
Giovanni has Italian and Hebrew roots. Giovanni is the Italian form of John, which comes from the Hebrew Yochanan, "God is gracious".
Is Giovanni a popular name?
Yes. Giovanni ranked #123 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Giovanni a boy or girl name?
Giovanni is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Giovanni?
Giovanni is usually pronounced jee-oh-VAH-nee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings