Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jan
BoyDutch, Czech· “form of John; God is gracious”
- Meaning
- form of John; God is gracious
- Origin
- Dutch, Czech
- Pronunciation
- YAHN
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,731
- US babies 2025
- 47
- Best rank
- #247 (1944)
- Peak year
- 1954
Meaning and origin of Jan
Jan is a Dutch and Czech name that means “form of John; God is gracious”.
Across much of central and northern Europe, Jan is the everyday form of John, which goes back to the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning God is gracious. It is standard in Dutch, Czech, Polish, German and Scandinavian use, and it has been carried by major figures such as the Dutch painters Jan van Eyck and Jan Vermeer and the Czech reformer Jan Hus. In these languages it is pronounced YAHN, which distinguishes it from the English feminine Jan, a short form of Janet or Janice. For boys it offers a crisp, classic, and thoroughly European option.
Other spellings with the same sound: Jann, Jahn.
Popularity over time
Jan first appears in US Social Security records in 1902. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 67 different years, starting in 1931. Its best national rank was #247 in 1944, and the most babies received it in 1954, when 768 were named Jan. In 2025, 47 babies were named Jan, and it ranked #2,731 nationally. That is 50% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,364 in 1920, #267 in 1950, #824 in 1980, #837 in 2000, #1,286 in 2010, and #2,731 in 2025. Of the 22,403 US boys named Jan since records began, 26% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 5,344 babies. Since 2010, 1,311 more have been named Jan.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Bradford, Van, Dirk, Jerrold, and Christophe.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jan ranked highest in Florida and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | #1715 | 6 |
| California | #2609 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 96% of US babies named Jan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Jan is usually pronounced YAHN, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with J and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Jann and Jahn.
Middle names for Jan
A few middle names that flow with Jan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jan
Similar names
Jean Unisex
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ree-AHN
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Rian Unisex
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Rayyan Boy
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Roan Boy
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Lists that include Jan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jan mean?
Jan is a Dutch and Czech name that means “form of John; God is gracious”.
What is the origin of the name Jan?
Jan has Dutch, Czech, and Hebrew roots. Across much of central and northern Europe, Jan is the everyday form of John, which goes back to the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning God is gracious.
Is Jan a popular name?
Not especially. Jan ranked #2,731 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Jan a boy or girl name?
Jan is mainly a boy's name. About 96% of US babies named Jan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Jan?
Jan is usually pronounced YAHN. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings