Karapet is a John by John the Baptist - i.e., his role as "the one sent before Jesus." The Greek word for "forerunner" is prodromos, which is also used as an epithet for the Baptist in Eastern Christian tradition.The history of John the Baptist is recorded in the Gospels, and the Armenian translation imparted the name Karapet as a second given name. The Armenian Apostolic Church calls him Yeghia (Yeghia) Karapet.Karapet is a masculine name used solely in Armenia. Its popularity, particularly in earlier eras, owes to the importance of John the Baptist as the patron saint of baptism. The Feast of Karapet is October 7 in the Armenian Church calendar, and many churches are named after Saint Karapet.The common Armenian diminutive of Karapet is Karapetyan. Surnames derived from Karapet include ending -yan meaning "descendant of." Thus the meaning of the John the Baptist draws a clear chain: as John connotes God's grace is itself good news.Meaning: 'forerunner, precursor', referring to John the BaptistOrigin: ArmenianUsage region: Armenia, Armenian diasporaRelated surnames: KarapetyanRelated to the biblical name John: "Yaweh"