Anžej is a Slovene variant of the name Janez, itself the Slovene form of John. The name ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Yoḥanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious," from the elements yo (referring to the Hebrew God) and ḥanan (meaning "to be gracious"). This etymology carries through to many European forms of the name, including Anžej.
In Slovene, the name Janez has several variants and diminutives, including Anžej and the more common Anže. While Janez is the standard Slovene equivalent of John, Anžej represents a unique, less frequent adaptation. Like its root, Anžej is a masculine name and shares in the rich cultural and historical legacy of the name John across Christian traditions.
The name John, through its Slovene forms, has been borne by numerous saints, popes, and rulers over the centuries. In Slovenia, Janez is a traditional name, and its variant Anžej, though rarer, continues to be used within Slovene-speaking communities, linking the bearer to the broad and esteemed history of the name John in Christianity.
- Meaning: Yahweh is gracious
- Origin: Slovene variant of Janez (John)
- Type: First name
- Usage regions: Slovenia