Find out how popular the first name Yohanan has been for the last 30 years (from 1994 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Yohanan by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Yohanan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 91% of people named Yohanan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Yohanan.

The history of the first name Yohanan

The name Yohanan is of Hebrew origin and can be traced back to the Biblical period. It is a combination of the Hebrew words "Yo" meaning "Jehovah" and "hanan" meaning "grace" or "favor." The name essentially translates to "Jehovah has favored" or "graced by God."

In the Old Testament, Yohanan is mentioned as the name of several individuals. One notable figure is Yohanan the son of Kareah, a military leader during the time of the Babylonian captivity, mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah. Another Yohanan is referred to as the father of Mattathias, the leader of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Yohanan dates back to the 1st century BCE. John the Baptist, a Jewish preacher and a forerunner of Jesus Christ, is known as Yohanan in Hebrew. He is revered in Christianity and Islam and is considered a prophet in both religions.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Yohanan or its variations. Johanan ben Zakkai (1st century CE) was a Jewish scholar and one of the most prominent leaders of the Jewish community in the aftermath of the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Yohanan HaSandlar (2nd century CE) was a renowned Jewish scholar and one of the most prominent students of Rabbi Akiva. He was instrumental in preserving and transmitting Jewish oral traditions during the turbulent times following the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Romans.

Yohanan bar Nafha (3rd century CE) was a Jewish scholar and a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin in Tiberias. He is known for his contributions to the development of Jewish law and his teachings, which are preserved in the Talmud.

Yohanan ben Nappaha (4th century CE) was a prominent Jewish scholar and one of the last members of the Jewish Sanhedrin in Tiberias. He is credited with compiling the Palestinian Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism.

Yohanan I (6th century CE) was the Patriarch of the Church of Alexandria from 496 to 516 CE. He played a significant role in the ecclesiastical disputes of his time and is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Yohanan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yohanan, please contact us.

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