Jancsi

Jancsi is a Hungarian diminutive form of János, the Hungarian equivalent of John, which traces back through Latin Iohannes and Greek Ioannes to the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning God is gracious. It is a familiar, affectionate pet form commonly used in Hungarian-speaking communities, much as Johnny functions in English. The name gained cultural prominence partly through the Hungarian folk tale hero János Vitéz, whose story was immortalized in an 1845 epic poem by Sándor Petőfi, where the protagonist is often called Jancsi. Related forms include János, Ivan, Giovanni, Jean, and John.