Jan
Jan is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
God is gracious.
Origin and history
Jan is a classic European short form of Johannes or John, widely used across Dutch, Slavic, and Scandinavian cultures. In the United States, it has traditionally been used for both males and females, though as a male name it often reflects European heritage. It remains a recognizable, timeless choice with steady international usage.
Popularity in the United States
22,403 babies in the United States have been named Jan since 1880. It ranks #784 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1547.
States where it is most popular
- NY (14 %)
- CA (11.7 %)
- PA (9.6 %)
- IL (7.6 %)
- OH (7.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 16 |
| 1910-1920 | 168 |
| 1920-1930 | 227 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,695 |
| 1940-1950 | 5,344 |
| 1950-1960 | 5,723 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,397 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,278 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,193 |
| 1990-2000 | 995 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,056 |
| 2010-2019 | 930 |
| 2020-2029 | 381 |
Famous people named Jan
- Jan Janáček: Composer, Conductor
- Jan Steen: Painter
Fun facts
- Jan serves as the standard masculine equivalent of John across numerous European languages, including Dutch, Polish, Czech, and Swedish.
- The name has been borne by prominent historical figures, including the 17th-century Dutch painter Jan Vermeer.