Papaioannou Surname Meaning

The Greek surname Papaioannou (Παπαϊωάννου) is a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the name and role of a male ancestor. The prefix Papa- comes from the Greek word papás (παπάς), meaning “priest,” while the root Ioann- comes from the given name Ioannis (Ιωάννης), the Greek form of John. The name Ioannis originates from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious,” and became widespread in Greece through early Christian tradition. The suffix -ou is a genitive marker indicating descent or belonging, meaning “of” or “descendant of.” Consequently, the surname Papaioannou signifies “the descendant of the priest Ioannis” or, more literally, “of Father John.”