Names That Mean Gracious

Keoni is one of the lesser-used international forms of John, but it has an on-trend sound that many parents may find appealing, perhaps as an alternative honor name. As well as Hawaii, it is also given to one or two dozen boys in California each year.

Short form of Yann, the Breton form of John.

A Scandinavian short form of Johanna, properly pronounced with a Y sound at the start, but would likely be read as the more prosaic "John-a" in an English-speaking context.

A joyous, celebratory-sounding name.

A cool Germanic and Scandinavian short form of Johannes, from John.

A cute and easily accessible Finnish nickname, although not one that is likely to become popular in America now that Hannah and co are on the decline.

Splits the difference between Joanie and Joni, if you can't decide between the two.

A short form of the very popular Polish name Jan, which is the equivalent of John in English. Short forms ending in -ek are very widespread in Poland, but it is rare that one is given as the official birth certificate name.

An elaboration of Jaan, not quite as widely used in Estonia as the original. Jaan is the Estonian form of John.

Variant (mis)spelling of Siobhan.

This feminine form of Jean was most popular in the 1930s in its home country, and in the 1960s in the US. It's fallen off the Top 1000 list since, but perhaps cute retro nickname Jeannie could tempt some vintage-loving parents back.

The prefix La- was historically used by the Free Blacks of New Orleans in the nineteenth century to indicate paternity. Thus, someone named Lashawn was the son of Shawn, a phonetic spelling of Sean, the Irish variation of John.

The second-most-common variation of John in Iceland, behind Jón. Jóhann has had more steady rankings over the years.

Jenica might work if you can't decide between Jennifer and Jessica. It's certainly a more distinctive option.

Rare Scottish variant of John, with multicultural overtones.

Pronounced YAH-nosh, has a serious, violin-playing air. Perhaps that's why it has so many nicknames: JANCKZI, JANCSI, JANI, JANKIA, JANKO.

Sure to be mispronounced.

Jaunty Jancey hails from the United Kingdom, where it appeared in England as a surname and in Scotland as a nickname for Janet. It's extremely uncommon in the US, given to fewer than five baby girls in the most recent year on record. You'll be hard-pressed to come across another Jancey in your life, so if unique names are a priority for you, this jolly and accessible choice belongs on your list.

A romantic way to get to covetable nicknames Gia and Nina.