Janković (Cyrillic: Јанковић, pronounced [jǎːŋkoʋitɕ]) is a South Slavic surname of patronymic origin, meaning "son of Janko". It is most common among Croats and Serbs, and is widely found in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Etymology The surname derives from the given name Janko, which is a diminutive of Janez or Ján. These are Slavic forms of John, which ultimately originates from the Hebrew name יוֹחָנָן (Yoḥanan), meaning "Yahweh is gracious". The English form John gained immense popularity across the Christian world, influencing many languages and cultures. Historical and Cultural Context Patronymic surnames like Janković are common among Slavic peoples, where the suffix -vić (or -ović) indicates "son of". Equivalent surnames derived from John in other Slavic and neighboring languages include Russian Ivanova and Ivanov, Belarusian Ivanoŭ and Ivanow, and Armenian Hovanesian and Hovhannisyan. The name John, through its biblical roots, has been borne by numerous saints, popes, and royalty, contributing to its widespread adoption. In the South Slavic region, Janko and subsequently Janković became common, reflecting the deep Christian heritage of the area. Notable Bearers Janković is a well-known surname with many notable individuals, particularly in sports and the arts. In tennis, Jelena Janković (born 1985) is a former world No. 1 from Serbia. In football, notable figures include Serbian midfielder Boško Janković (born 1984) and Croatian defender Janko Janković (born 1963). Others include Serbian general Božidar Janković (1849–1920), fashion designer Ines Janković (born 1983), and chess player Alojzije Janković (born 1983). Meaning: Son of Janko (literally "son of little John") Origin: Serbo-Croatian (Croatian and Serbian) Type: Patronymic surname Variants and equivalents: Ivanov, Ivanova, Hovhannisyan, and other derivatives of John across languages.