Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן, H3110) is a theophoric name meaning 'YHWH has been gracious' or 'the LORD is merciful.' Composed of YHWH and chanan (to be gracious, show favor). This is the Hebrew form of the name John. Multiple biblical figures bear this name, including Johanan son of Kareah — a Judahite military leader during the Babylonian crisis (Jeremiah 40–43) — and post-exilic leaders in Nehemiah's era. The name is the Hebrew root of both 'John' (New Testament) and 'Giovanni,' 'Ivan,' and 'Juan.'
Yochanan — 'YHWH has been gracious' — is one of the most theologically dense personal names in Scripture. Its root chanan (grace, favor, compassion) describes God's freely given kindness toward those who have no claim to it. The New Testament incarnates this name in John the Baptist (Yochanan ha-Matbil) — the last prophet of the old covenant, whose mission was to prepare the way for the supreme act of divine grace: Jesus Christ. John the Apostle also bears this name, the disciple 'whom Jesus loved' (John 13:23), who wrote the Gospel most focused on grace and love. Names carry theological weight: 'YHWH has been gracious' is not just a statement about the past but a declaration of God's fundamental character — He is the God who freely gives what is not deserved, whose grace defines His dealings with humanity.