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Jaan

“The name 'Jaan' means "life" or "soul" in Persian and is derived from the Persian word *jān* (جان).”

Estonian · Boy · 1 syllable

J
Rare

Popularity & facts

Relative popularity index, 2010–2025
GenderBoy
US Rank#12,771
TrendStable
Peak year2006
Syllables1
OriginEstonian
LanguageEstonian
CultureEstonian
ReligionIslam, Sikhism
Letters4
Numerology8 Chaldean 8
Global rank#848

Popularity over time

Popularity index
Hover the line to see any year. 100 = most popular.

Historical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data

About the name Jaan

The name 'Jaan' means "life" or "soul" in Persian and is derived from the Persian word *jān* (جان).

Cross-referenced with Behind the Name. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.

Etymology

The name 'Jaan' means "life" or "soul" in Persian and is derived from the Persian word *jān* (جان). It is commonly used as a given name in Estonia (where it is a form of John) and in South Asian cultures (especially among Muslims and Sikhs) as a term of endearment or a masculine name, with notable historical use in Persian poetry and Sufi contexts.

Jaan currently ranks #12,771 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 2006.

Variants & nicknames

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Sibling name ideas

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Names that sound like Jaan

Phonetic match, not just spelling
Jan
Unisex Dutch

"Jan is a diminutive form of Joannes, the Latin version of the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious." The…"

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Jazmin
Unisex English (Modern)

"Jazmin means "jasmine flower" and derives from the Persian word "yasmin," which entered English through Arabic and Romance languages."

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Jon
Unisex Norwegian

"Jon is a short form of Jonathan, derived from the Hebrew name Yonatan (יוֹנָתָן), meaning "God has given" or "Yahweh…"

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Joana
Girl Portuguese

"Joana is the feminine form of Joannes, derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן), meaning "God is gracious." The name…"

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Joaquim
Boy Portuguese

"Joaquim means "God will establish" or "Yahweh will judge," derived from the Hebrew name Yehoyakim (יְהוֹיָקִים), combining "Yah" (God) and…"

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Janne
Unisex Swedish

"Janne is a feminine given name meaning "God is gracious," derived from the Hebrew root of John (Yohanan)."

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Johann
Unisex German

"Johann means "God is gracious" and derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן), passing through Greek (Ioannes) and Latin (Ioannes)…"

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Jana
Unisex Czech

"Jana is a feminine given name meaning "God is gracious" or "God's gift," derived from the Hebrew name Johanna, which…"

Global rank #14 View name
Jaana
Girl Finnish

"Jaana is a Finnish and Estonian feminine name derived from the Hebrew name Johanna, meaning "God is gracious" through the…"

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Juni
Unisex Swedish

"Juni is a diminutive or short form of names like Juniper or June, derived from the Latin "Junius," which may…"

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Jimena
Unisex Spanish

"Jimena derives from the Basque name Ximeno, which likely comes from the Basque root meaning "hearkening" or "listening," related to…"

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Jani
Unisex Finnish

"Jani is a diminutive or short form of Janis, which derives from the Latin name Januarius, meaning "of January" or…"

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