The spelling of "Yiannakis" is often confusing to those unfamiliar with the Greek language. The word is pronounced /janɐkis/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the "y" sound represented by the symbol /j/. The double "nn" represents the Greek letter "nu", which is pronounced as a nasalized "n". The final "akis" is pronounced as /ɐkis/, with the stress on the second syllable. Remembering these phonetic nuances will help ensure the correct spelling and pronunciation of this Greek surname.
The word Yiannakis is a Greek given name, derived from the Greek name Ioannis. Ioannis is the equivalent of the English name John. It is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning God is gracious. In Greece, it is a common practice to add a suffix -akis to names like Yiannis to create a more affectionate or familiar form. So, Yiannakis can be seen as a variation or nickname for Yiannis or Ioannis.