Jan
Jan is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God is gracious.
Origin and history
Jan is a short form derived from Johannes or Janine, ultimately stemming from the Hebrew name Yochanan. While primarily a masculine name in Dutch, German, and Slavic cultures, it was widely used as a feminine name in the United States during the mid-20th century. Its usage for U.S. females peaked in the 1950s and 1960s and is rarely given to newborn girls today.
Popularity in the United States
54,531 babies in the United States have been named Jan since 1880. It ranks #553 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2086.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.3 %)
- TX (8.3 %)
- IL (5.4 %)
- NY (4.8 %)
- MI (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 110 |
| 1920-1930 | 323 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,787 |
| 1940-1950 | 8,717 |
| 1950-1960 | 26,169 |
| 1960-1970 | 12,827 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,095 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,126 |
| 1990-2000 | 230 |
| 2000-2010 | 87 |
| 2010-2019 | 45 |
| 2020-2029 | 15 |
Famous people named Jan
- Jan Sterling: Actress
- Jan Hooks: Comedian, Actress
- Jan Miner: Actress
Fun facts
- Jan was a top 100 name for U.S. girls during the 1950s, partially popularized by public figures and pop culture.
- While commonly female in mid-century U.S. usage, Jan is predominantly a masculine name in Dutch, German, and Slavic-speaking countries.