The nameJean
Jean is a girl's name in English and the French form of John for boys.
- Unisex name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Jean comes from Johanna and Johannes, from the Hebrew Yohanan, "God is gracious".
Origin
Hebrew, through French and Scots.
History
In Scotland Jean was long the usual form of Jane. In the United States it reached 12th place for girls in 1926. In France it is one of the most given boy's names in history.
Jean in other languages
Jean is the French form of John. It is Johann and Hans in German, Giovanni in Italian, Juan in Spanish, João in Portuguese, Joan in Catalan, Jan in Dutch and Polish, Ivan in Russian and Ioannis in Greek. In English, Jean is also a girls' name, from the Scottish form of Jane.
Did you know?
- Jean was the most popular boys' name in France every year from 1900 to 1957.
- Jean-Paul Sartre turned down the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1964.
- Jean Harlow, Hollywood's original "Blonde Bombshell", died in 1937 at the age of 26.
Famous people named Jean
- Jean Harlow, actress
- Jean Rhys, novelist
- Jean-Paul Sartre, philosopher
- Jean Simmons, actress
Popularity of the name Jean
Jean in the United States
Jean was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 108,977 births over the decade, 23% of all recorded babies named Jean. Its rise began around 1910, and it peaked in 1927. Half of all babies named Jean in the United States were born before 1938, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 215 births a year.
Jean in the United Kingdom
Jean was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 341 births over the decade, 44% of all recorded babies named Jean. Half of all babies named Jean in the United Kingdom were born before 2009, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 22 births a year.
Jean in Ireland
Jean in France
Jean in Belgium
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Jean
Names from the same generation as Jean, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Jean? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Jean with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Jean side by side with the name of your choice.
Jean in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jean mean?
Jean comes from Johanna and Johannes, from the Hebrew Yohanan, "God is gracious".
What is the origin of the name Jean?
Hebrew, through French and Scots.
Is Jean a girl's or a boy's name?
Jean is a unisex name, given to both girls and boys.
How popular is the name Jean?
In 2024, Jean was the 2414th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 75 births.
What are the variants of the name Jean?
Variants and related names of Jean include Erwann, Evan, Evana, Evane, Evann, Evans, Gian and Gianni.
What are good sibling names for Jean?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Deborah, Micaela, Simone and Judith for a sister, Mike, Noé, Nathanael and Toby for a brother.
Who are famous people named Jean?
Jean Harlow, actress; Jean Rhys, novelist; Jean-Paul Sartre, philosopher; Jean Simmons, actress.