Ioannou (also spelled Joannou) is a Greek surname meaning “son of Ioannis,” the modern Greek form of John. Like many Greek patronymic surnames formed with the suffix -ou (genitive case), Ioannou directly indicates lineage, a common onomastic pattern in Greece and Cyprus. Etymology The root name John derives from the Hebrew Yoḥanan, meaning “Yahweh is gracious.” Through Greek Iōannēs and Latin Iohannes, it entered the Greek-speaking world, where Ioannis became the standard form. The surname Ioannou thus shares the deep biblical heritage of the name John, echoing its popularity among Christians as a tribute to John the Baptist and John the Apostle. Distribution and Cultural Context Ioannou is primarily found in Greece and Cyprus, where it ranks among the common patronymic surnames. Its frequency reflects the enduring veneration of Saint John (Ágios Ioánnis) in Greek Orthodox tradition, with many families naming male children Ioannis. The suffix -ou indicates possession, making Ioannou ubiquitous in Greek diaspora communities worldwide. Notable Bearers Several Cypriot and Greek individuals have borne the surname Ioannou: Kyriakos Ioannou (born 1984), Cypriot high jumper who won gold at the European Athletics Championships. Dimitris Ioannou (born 1977), Greek footballer who played for AEK Athens. Orthodoxos Ioannou (born 1986), Cypriot footballer. Susan Ioannou (born 1944), Canadian poet of Greek heritage. Nicolas George Ioannou (born 1965), Cypriot businessman. As Joannou, other figures include musician Chris Joannou (born 1979), bassist for the Australian band Silverchair, and Dakis Joannou (born 1939), Cypriot industrialist and art collector. Related Surnames Ioannou is one of many Greek patronymic surnames derived from the same root. Masculine variants include Ioannidis ('son of Ioannis'), Giannopoulos, and Giannakis. Feminine equivalents (grammatically the genitive/possessive forms) also occur. Cross-linguistic parallels include Russian Ivanov, Armenian Hovhannisyan, and Belarusian Ivanoŭ, all deriving from the same name. Meaning: “son of Ioannis” (John) Origin: Greek patronymic surname Type: Patronymic Usage Regions: Greece, Cyprus, Greek diaspora