Giovanni
/d͡ʒoˈvan.ni/
Giovanni is the Italian male given name.
For polite address, such as in a letter or formal setting, one might use Gentile Giovanni to mean "Dear Giovanni".
Which one should you use?
While Giovanni is the standard name, several informal variations exist. Gio is a common diminutive, while Gigi is a popular nickname. Giovannino is an affectionate, babyish form typically used by parents or close family members.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The nickname Gigi is especially common among friends and family in Northern Italy.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /dʒoˈvan.ni/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
When do people say it?
The nickname Gigi is a popular way to refer to a Giovanni among friends and family, particularly in Northern Italy.
Did you know?
- The name Giovanni originates from the Hebrew word Yôḥānān, meaning 'Yahweh is gracious'.
- The nickname Gigi is used for both Giovanni and Luigi, which can lead to confusion in social settings.
- In some historical Italian contexts, a person might be referred to as Don Giovanni to indicate a gentleman of high social standing or a member of the clergy.
Examples in context
- Mi chiamo Giovanni Giorgio, ma tutti mi chiamano Giorgio.My name is Giovanni Giorgio, but everybody calls me Giorgio.This sentence shows how to introduce oneself using the name Giovanni.Tatoeba #11741350 by WM3DAS, translation #10736379 by Cabo
- Giovanni e Sara si sono sposati 2 anni fa in Germania.Giovanni and Sara got married 2 years ago in Germany.This sentence demonstrates the use of Giovanni when referring to someone in a sentence.Tatoeba #9095350 by Valdast, translation #8045963 by Ricardo14
- Buongiorno, Signor GiovanniGood morning, Mr. Giovanni
- Buonasera, Giovanni RossiGood evening, Giovanni Rossi
- Gentile Giovanni, mi potrebbe aiutare?Dear Giovanni, could you help me?
- Ciao, Gio!Hi, Gio!
- Hai visto Giovannino oggi?Have you seen Giovannino today?
- Vieni, Gigi!Come here, Gigi!
- Ho incontrato Giovanni al supermercato ieri.I met Giovanni at the supermarket yesterday.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a mutual acquaintance at a cafe.
- SofiaHai visto Giovanni oggi?Did you see Giovanni today?
- MatteoNo, non l'ho visto.No, I haven't seen him.
- SofiaForse è ancora al lavoro.Maybe he is still at work.
- MatteoSì, è un uomo molto impegnato.Yes, he is a very busy man.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Giovanni, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Giovanni, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
