"son of Jan (John)"
Origin: Dutch
Language: Dutch
Jansen
Pronunciation: [ j-ANS-uhn ]
Does Jansen flow with your last name?
A Dutch heritage name meaning son of John
Dutch
Scandinavian
American
South African
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Jansen
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"God is gracious"
Origin: Hebrew (via Jan/John)
Language: Dutch
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The Story of Jansen
Jansen is a Dutch and South African surname meaning son of Jan, with Jan being the Dutch form of John (Hebrew Yochanan meaning God is gracious). As a patronymic surname turned first name, Jansen carries centuries of Dutch heritage. It became a popular given name in the US in the late 20th century as surname-first-names became fashionable.
Jansen has been rising as a given name in the US from the 1990s onward, fitting the broader trend of using traditional Scandinavian and Dutch surnames as modern first names. Its similarity to the more common Jensen has helped it gain recognition.
In the Netherlands and South Africa (Afrikaner community), Jansen is one of the most common surnames, representing deep Dutch colonial history. As a first name, it bridges European heritage with American modernity.
Historical Record
Jansen first appeared in US Social Security records in 1958.
Over 2,090 babies have been named Jansen in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jansen is past its peak , currently ranked #2,836 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jansen/Janssen is one of the most common surnames in the Netherlands and Belgium
- The Janssen pharmaceutical company (makers of the COVID-19 vaccine) bears this name
- Cornelius Jansen (1585-1638) was a Dutch theologian who founded the controversial Catholic movement Jansenism
Jansen in Other Languages
Dutch
Jansen
Danish
Jensen
German
Janssen
English
Jansen
Afrikaans
Jansen
Popularity Over Time
#2,836
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1994
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Jansen
F
Famke Janssen
Actor
1964
Dutch-American actress known for X-Men as Jean Grey and James Bond film GoldenEye
C
Cornelius Jansen
Religious
1585
Dutch Catholic bishop and theologian who founded the controversial religious movement Jansenism
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Compare Jansen with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,836
- Total SSA Count
- 45
- Cultural Origins
- Dutch Scandinavian American South African
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jan
Jans
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jansen
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Jansen is also used as a girl name, ranked #58243.
View Jansen as a girl name →Similar Names
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Old French origin
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Old English origin
"island meadow, land near water"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jansen
What does the name Jansen mean?
"son of Jan (John)" (from Dutch). "God is gracious" (from Hebrew (via Jan/John)). Jansen is a Dutch and South African surname meaning son of Jan, with Jan being the Dutch form of John (Hebrew Yochanan meaning God is gracious). As a patronymic surname turned first name, Jansen carries centuries of Dutch heritage. It became a popular given name in the US in the late 20th century as surname-first-names became fashionable.
What is the origin of the name Jansen?
Jansen has Dutch, Hebrew (via Jan/John), Scandinavian, American, and South African origins. In Dutch, it means "son of Jan (John)". In Hebrew (via Jan/John), it means "God is gracious".
Is Jansen a boy or girl name?
Jansen is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2836. As a girl name, it is ranked #58243. Jansen is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jansen?
Jansen is pronounced j-ANS-uhn.
How popular is the name Jansen?
Jansen is currently ranked #2836 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jansen?
Common nicknames for Jansen include Jan and Jans.
What are good middle names for Jansen?
Popular middle name pairings include Jansen Cole, Jansen Reid, Jansen Gray, Jansen William, Jansen Thomas, Jansen Henry, and Jansen Miles.
What are good sibling names for Jansen?
Names that pair well with Jansen as siblings include Jensen, Henley, Larson, Quinn, Piper, Sloane, Nora, and Ingrid.
How many syllables does Jansen have?
Jansen has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jansen a common or rare name?
Jansen is an uncommon name, ranked #2836 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Jansen?
Are there other spellings for Jansen?
Related spellings include Janson.
About the Name Jansen
Jansen is a boy name with Dutch, Scandinavian, American, and South African origins . The name means "son of Jan (John)" in Dutch .
Is Jansen a boy or girl name? Jansen is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,836 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #58,243. Jansen is more commonly used as a boy name.
Jansen is currently ranked #2,836 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jansen has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-ANS-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Jansen include Jan and Jans. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Jansen include Janson . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis