The nameJan
Jan is a boy's name in Dutch, Czech, Polish and Scandinavian, and a girl's name in English.
- Unisex name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Jan comes from Johannes, the Hebrew Yohanan, "God is gracious". The English feminine shortens Janet or Janice.
Origin
Hebrew.
History
In the United States Jan reached 131st for girls in 1954. In England and Wales it reached 226th for boys in 2017.
Did you know?
- Only about thirty five paintings by Jan Vermeer are known, including Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Famous people named Jan
- Jan Vermeer, painter
- Jan van Eyck, painter
Popularity of the name Jan
Jan in the United States
Jan was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 31,892 births over the decade, 41% of all recorded babies named Jan. Its rise began around 1935, and it peaked in 1954. Half of all babies named Jan in the United States were born before 1956, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 69 births a year.
Jan in the United Kingdom
Jan was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 2,103 births over the decade, 59% of all recorded babies named Jan. Half of all babies named Jan in the United Kingdom were born before 2015, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 98 births a year on average, against 216 in the five years before.
Jan in Ireland
Jan in France
Jan in Belgium
Jan in Switzerland
Jan in Austria
Jan in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Jan
Names from the same generation as Jan, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Jan? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Jan with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Jan side by side with the name of your choice.
Jan in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jan mean?
Jan comes from Johannes, the Hebrew Yohanan, "God is gracious". The English feminine shortens Janet or Janice.
What is the origin of the name Jan?
Hebrew.
Is Jan a girl's or a boy's name?
Jan is a unisex name, given to both girls and boys. In the United States, 71% of the babies named Jan are girls.
What are the variants of the name Jan?
Variants and related names of Jan include Janna, Janne and Johannes.
What are good sibling names for Jan?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Maritza, Mahala, Lili and Sharon for a sister, Rigoberto, Jimmy, Michel and Nigel for a brother.
Who are famous people named Jan?
Jan Vermeer, painter; Jan van Eyck, painter.