Jan vs Oswald

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Jan

Boy #2,213 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"God is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew (via Latin Johannes)

Cultural Roots

Dutch Polish Czech Scandinavian German

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,213
Total SSA Count
65
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Janny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Jan →

Oswald

Boy #2,124 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"divine power, God's rule"

Origin: Old English os weald

Cultural Roots

English German American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,124
Total SSA Count
70
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Oz, Ozzy, Ossie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Oswald →

Popularity Comparison

Jan Rank #2,213
Oswald Rank #2,124

Oswald is more popular, ranked #2124 vs #2213 for Jan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Jan ___

  • Jan Pieter
  • Jan Henrik
  • Jan Willem
  • Jan Erik
  • Jan Michael
  • Jan Thomas

Oswald ___

  • Oswald James
  • Oswald Henry
  • Oswald Frederick
  • Oswald Arthur
  • Oswald Edmund
  • Oswald George

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Jan

Piet Lena Hans Marta Erik

If you choose Oswald

Edmund Reginald Hildegard Mildred Aldous

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jan or Oswald more popular?

Oswald is more popular, ranked #2124 compared to Jan at #2213 in the United States.

What do Jan and Oswald mean?

Jan means "God is gracious" (Hebrew (via Latin Johannes) origin). Oswald means "divine power, God's rule" (Old English os weald origin).

Are Jan and Oswald boy or girl names?

Jan is primarily a boy name. Oswald is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Jan ← Full profile: Oswald Browse all baby names