Surname Jan - Meaning and Origin
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M. Jan
read moreJan: What does the surname Jan mean?
The last name Jan is a very popular surname with origins from many different countries. It is common in both Czech and Polish cultures and can be traced to various places in Europe. In the Czech Republic, Jan is derived from the name Johannes, which is a Latinized form of the Hebrew name Yohanan. In Poland, it is thought to be derived from the name Janusz, which is a derivative of the Latin name Iohannes or Johannes.
The surname Jan is thought to mean “God is gracious” or “God has favored”. It is believed to have been a name often given to someone who was sent by God or given divinely as a blessing. The surname is also considered to be a form of John in certain parts of Europe, such as Western Germany.
The surname Jan is very common in North America, with an estimated 250,000 people in the United States and Canada with the name. in the US it is the 73rd most common name, with around 16,000 people with the last name. The surname also appears in other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Overall, the surname Jan is one associated with positivity and divine favor. It is easy to trace the surname to many different origins and countries, and it is especially common in North America. The meaning behind it is one of divinity, grace, and favor from the divine, and it is a name with both historical and religious meanings, reflecting the many countries that it has spread to.
Order DNA origin analysisJan: Where does the name Jan come from?
The last name Jan is relatively popular today, with people who bear this name being found throughout the world. In Europe, Jan is a common surname in many eastern and southeastern countries, with particularly high concentrations in Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic. Beyond Europe, Jan is commonly found in East Asian countries such as China and South Korea. It is also well distributed in North and South America, especially in the United States and Canada.
In the U.S. specifically, Jan is the 5,739th most common name, with roughly 0.003% of the population bearing the name. It is most popular in East Coast states such as New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, whereas it is least common in Western states.
Jan is derived from the Latin given name Johannes, which is the equivalent of the English name John. As such, it likely spread throughout Europe from the Middle Ages onward, as Christianity spread across the continent. As with many surnames, its prevalence waxed and waned over time, but it has remained a fairly consistent presence throughout much of the world for centuries.
Variations of the surname Jan
The surname Jan is one of the most widespread names in the world and can have numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin across cultures and countries.
In Poland and countries of Eastern European descent, Jan is one of the most popular male names and has variants such as Jana, Janek, Janko, Janos, Janik, Janus or Yannis which is the Greek variant of Jan. In particular, Janek is a pet form of Jan which has also been used as a surname.
In Germany and other countries of Germanic descent, the spelling of Jan is changed to Johann or Hans. Hans is especially popular in Scandinavia countries such as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
In India, Jaan is a variant of Jan which is derived from Sanskrit and is also used as a given name and a surname, although it is also sometimes spelt ‘Jaan’ and ‘Jhand’.
In France and other countries of Romance descent, the spelling of Jan is changed to Jean. Jean is a masculine French equivalent of the English John. Jean is especially popular in France and Quebec-influenced parts of North America such as Louisiana and New Orleans.
Finally, in the U.S., Jan is often spelt as ‘John’ due to the influence of the Americanisation of names. Furthermore, English-speaking countries have also been known to refer to Jan as 'Jon', the shorter version of 'John' used throughout the world.
In conclusion, the name Jan is a pervasive surname across the world with many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Jan
- Jean-Luc Jan, a French chef.
- Míša Janoušková, a Czech singer.
- Mathieu Jan, a French entrepreneur and producer.
- Lucka Jan, a Slovak actress.
- Jeff Jan, an American actor and singer.
- Armin Jan, a retired German footballer.
- Jan Pruis, a Dutch marine and navigator.
- Jan Vodňanský, a Czech wrestler.
- Jan Kleomares, a Dutch writer.
- Jan Kluytmans, a Dutch former football manager.
- Kai Jan, a German music producer and composer.
- Jan KMadej, a Polish poet and writer.
- Jan Zizka, a Czechoslovakian bicyclist and trainer.
- Jan Kocian, a Slovak professional wrestler.
- Jan Andresen, a Danish former footballer.
- Jan Christoffel Elers, a Dutch historian.
- Jan Duys, a Dutch sculptor.
- Jan Åge Fjørtoft, a Norwegian former footballer.
- Jan Erik Gustafsson, a Swedish politician.
- Jan Grzegorz Przybyłko, a Polish professional footballer.