Karajan, or Caragiani, Karagianni, Karayiannis, Karagianis, is a Greek surname. This last name, like several other Ottoman-era ones, contains the Turkish language prefix 'kara' in reference to someone's dark complexion. Notable persons with that surname include: Eftychia Karagianni, Greek water polo player Georgios Karayiannis, Greek Army officer Herbert von Karajan (1908–1989), Austrian conductor, great-grandson of Theodor von Karajan Ioan D. Caragiani, Romanian folklorist Martha Karagianni, Greek actress Maurine Karagianis, Canadian politician Pete Karagianis, American chess player Vaios Karagiannis (born 1968), Greek football player Peter Karrie, (Full name Peter Karagianis), Welsh Singer & TV show host