Giovanni is an Italian given name derived from the Latin word 'Iohannes', which means 'graced by God' or 'gift of God'. It has been used extensively throughout Europe due to its popularity among saints, such as St. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. In Italy, Giovanni is one of the most common names, ranking high in popularity lists. Internationally, it has also gained widespread usage, being popular in countries like Spain, Portugal, Poland, Croatia, and various South American nations with Italian influence.
The name Giovanni experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with peaks in the late 80s and early 90s, followed by a steady decline towards the end of the century. However, it appears to be regaining some traction in recent years.