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Learn more about the meaning of the name Jan, its origin, and other important things such as its prevalence, name day, or famous Jans.
The meaning and origin of the name Jan
For many people, Jan is a Nordic name, which is not surprising, as it is the most common male first name in Denmark. It is also widespread in Norway, but also in the Netherlands, Czechia, and Poland.
- Jan actually comes from the Hebrew Jochanan.
- It was adopted into Latin via Greece.
- The name comes from the Jewish Bible, the Tanakh.
- The meaning of Jan is therefore “God is gracious.”
- A freer translation is “gift of God.”
Interesting facts about the name Jan
In addition to its meaning, there are other interesting things about the name.
- Closely related to Jan are the names Johannes and Jonathan.
- Jan’s name day is June 24 (St. John’s Day).
- The name can be easily combined with multisyllabic names. For example, Jan Erik, Jan-Luca, or Jan-Philipp.
- Well-known people with this name include Jan Fedder, Jan Böhmermann, and Jan Delay.
The popularity of Jan in Germany and international name variants
The name Jan has a long tradition in Germany and has enjoyed great popularity for decades.
- Jan began to gain popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. This was a trend that continued in the following decades.
- Jan was one of the top names for newborns in Germany, especially in the 1990s.
- Jan remained a common first name in the 2000s, thanks to its timeless elegance and short, concise form.
- In recent years, Jan has remained popular, although not quite as common as at the peak of its popularity.
- A noticeable trend is the preference for short, concise names, which benefits Jan. The possibility of combining Jan with other names (e.g., Jan-Luca, Jan-Philipp) has helped it remain modern. International influences and openness to names from different cultures also play a role in Jan’s continued popularity.
- In Germany, there are several variants and diminutive forms of Jan that are often used in family or friendly contexts. These include “Janni” or “Jano.”
- In the Netherlands and Belgium, Jan is also a very popular name and is often used in its original form.
- In English-speaking countries, the spelling “John” is sometimes found, which has the same origin.
- In Poland and Czechia, Jan is a traditional and widely used first name.
- Jan is known in many other European countries and is used in similar forms, which underlines its international recognition.
