Jan

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ORIGIN AND HISTORY

The name Jan is a shortened or pet version of various names beginning with “Jan,” such as Janet or Janice. Additionally, it is a variation of the male name John meaning “God is gracious.” In Slovakia, it is a version of the name Johannes. The name is utilized in English, German, Polish, Dutch and Czech speaking countries.

POPULARITY

According to the 1990 United States Census ^[1], Jan ranked as the 340th most popular female first name, the 489th most popular male first name and the 18,166th most popular last name.

According to the Social Security Administration ^[1], in the United States, the name ranked in the Top 1,000 most popular girls' names from 1930 (943rd) through 1983 (999th), peaking in popularity in the 1950s when it ranked in the top 150 most popular girls' names. Furthermore, Jan ranked in the Top 1,000 most popular boys' names from 1931 through 19888 and in 1990, but not again until the 21st century.

According to the Social Security Administration ^[1], in the 21st century, the name ranked in the Top 1,000 most popular boys' names every year from 2000 (835th) through 2006 (751st).

United States Popularity of the girl's name Jan in the 21st Century:

• Year: 2006 Rank:751st
• Year: 2005 Rank:856th
• Year: 2004 Rank:770th
• Year: 2003 Rank:884th
• Year: 2002 Rank:915th
• Year: 2001 Rank:786th
• Year: 2000 Rank:835th

FACTS

• The Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and the Catholic Church celebrate days in honor of the name Jan. ^[1]
• “Jan” is the first name bestowed upon a child of celebrity Ernie Banks. ^[1]

NAMESAKES

• “Jan Brady,” portrayed by Eve Plumb, was one of the Brady children on the hit television comedy “The Brady Bunch" from 1969 through 1974. Jan Brady also appeared in several television and movie spin-offs to the show. ^[1]
• “Jan,” portrayed by Jamie Donnelly, is a character in the 1978 musical motion picture Grease, which was nominated for an Academy Award (Oscar) for “Best Music, Original Song.” ^[1]

FAMOUS PERSONS

• Jan Stenerud – Former professional football player (place kicker) who was selected to six Pro Bowls and was enshrined in the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1991. He is one of only three kickers in the Hall of Fame, the others being George Blanda and Lou Groza. ^[1]
• Jan Morris (born James Humphrey Morris) – British author who specializes in historical and travel writing.
• Jan Tinbergen – Won the Nobel Prize for economics in 1969.
• Jann S. Wenner – Co-founder of the music magazine “Rolling Stone.” Eion Bailey portrays Jann Wenner in the 2000 movie Almost Famous, which won an Academy Award (Oscar) for “Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen” by writer/director Cameron Crowe. ^[1]

NOTES

OTHER JAN'S

Jan Johnston, Jan Smith, Jan Johnson, Jan Williams, Jan Jones, Jan Brown, Jan Davis, Jan Miller, Jan Wilson, Jan Moore, Jan Taylor, Jan Aaberg, Jan Aadahl, Jan Aalami, Jan Aalberts, Jan Aalseth, Jan Aamodt, Jan Aarvik, Jan Abante, Jan Abate, Jan Abbe, Jan Abbott, Jan Ande, Jan Baldwin, Jan Aagaard, Jan Aamoth, Jan Aaron, Jan Aarsheim, Jan Aarts, Jan Aarup, Jan Abad, Jan Abajian, Jan Abalos, Jan Abarca, Jan Abarrientos, Jan Abaza, Jan Abeling, Jan Aakhus, Jan Aakre, Jan Aase, Jan Aasen, Jan Abasolo, Jan Abbamont, Jan Abbu, Jan Abby, Jan Abe, Jan Abeel, Jan Abeita, Jan Abelove, Jan Aalten, More results

Author: Rich Kachold