How to say it
jee · AH · nuh
dʒiˈɑn.ə
Feminine
Gianna
God is gracious
What it means
Italian feminine of Giovanni, which is the Italian form of John. The Hebrew root behind all of them is Yochanan: 'God is gracious.'
Gianna stayed primarily Italian for most of its history, often given in honor of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, the 20th-century Italian doctor canonized in 2004. The name crossed into mainstream American use in the 1990s through Italian-American families. The death of Gianna Bryant, Kobe Bryant's thirteen-year-old daughter, in January 2020 gave the name a national spotlight and a wave of tribute namings. Currently US top hundred for girls. Often shortened to Gia or Gigi.
How to spell Gianna
The standard spelling is Gianna. Common variants include Giana, Gia, Gigi, Jianna, but Gianna is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #13 in 2020, currently #33 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Gianna Bryant Daughter of Kobe Bryant, 2006-2020
Spelling variants
- Giana
- Gia
- Gigi
- Jianna
Names with the same feeling
See Gianna from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Gianna mean?
- Italian feminine of Giovanni, which is the Italian form of John. The Hebrew root behind all of them is Yochanan: 'God is gracious.'
- What does Gianna mean in Italian?
- In Italian, Gianna means "God is gracious." Gianna stayed primarily Italian for most of its history, often given in honor of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, the 20th-century Italian doctor canonized in 2004. The name crossed into mainstream American use in the 1990s through Italian-American families. The death of Gianna Bryant, Kobe Bryant's thirteen-year-old daughter, in January 2020 gave the name a national spotlight and a wave of tribute namings. Currently US top hundred for girls. Often shortened to Gia or Gigi.
- How do you pronounce Gianna?
- Gianna is pronounced dʒiˈɑn.ə. Say it as jee-AH-nuh, with the stress on the "ah" syllable.
- How do you spell Gianna?
- The standard spelling is Gianna. Common spelling variants include Giana, Gia, Gigi, Jianna.
- Is Gianna a boy or girl name?
- Gianna is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Gianna?
- Gianna ranked #33 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.