Janez is the Slovene form of John, derived ultimately from the Hebrew name Yoḥanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious". It is a common male given name in Slovenia. Etymology The name Janez traces its roots back to the Latin Iohannes and the Greek Ioannes, which come from the Hebrew Yoḥanan. The Hebrew name is composed of elements referring to God (yo) and the verb ḥanan, meaning "to be gracious". This origin is shared with many other European forms of John. Notable Bearers Janez has been borne by several prominent Slovenians. Janez Drnovšek (1950–2008) served as the second president of Slovenia. Politician Janez Janša (born 1958) was the fifth prime minister. In the arts, Janez Vajkard Valvasor (1641–1693) was a renowned scholar and polymath, and Janez Burger (born 1965) is a film director. Cultural Significance In Slovene culture, Janez is a traditional and enduring name, associated with the ubiquitous saint John in Christianity. Its usage mirrors the popularity of John across Europe, adapted to Slovene phonology and orthography. Related Names Slovene variants include Jan and the diminutives Anže, Anžej, and Janko. The feminine form Jana is also common. Meaning: "Yahweh is gracious" Origin: Hebrew, via Latin and Greek Type: First name Usage regions: Slovenia