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Juan

Pronunciation: [ w-AHN ]

Boy Name #137 Most Popular Steady 1 Syllable

The John of the Spanish-speaking world — graced by God

Spanish Latin American Filipino
Classic Traditional Strong Spiritual

Meaning & Origin

"gift of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Spanish
"God is gracious"
Origin: Hebrew via Latin via Spanish
Language: Spanish
"God has shown favor"
Origin: Hebrew Yochanan
Language: Spanish

Things to Know About This Name

  • Don Juan — legendary fictional womanizer, can be associated with romantic recklessness

The Story of Juan

Juan is the Spanish form of John, which derives from the Hebrew Yochanan meaning God is gracious or God has been gracious. The name traveled from Hebrew to Greek (Ioannes) to Latin (Iohannes) to Old French (Johan) and finally Spanish (Juan). It is one of the most enduring names in Christian tradition, borne by John the Baptist, John the Apostle, and 23 popes.

Juan has been among the top 100 US boy names for decades, reflecting the large and growing Hispanic American population. While it has been surpassed by newer names like Miguel and Jose among younger generations, it remains a foundational name of the Spanish-speaking world.

In the Spanish-speaking world, Juan occupies the same cultural centrality that John does in English. The expression 'Juan del Pueblo' (Juan of the People) is the Spanish equivalent of the 'everyman.' In the Philippines, Juan de la Cruz represents the common Filipino man.

Fun Facts

  • Juan is the Spanish equivalent of John, one of the most common names in the world across virtually every Christian culture
  • Don Juan, the legendary fictional seducer, was first written by Tirso de Molina in 1630 and has inspired hundreds of artistic works

Juan in Other Languages

French Jean
German Johann/Hans
Hebrew יוֹחָנָן
English John
Italian Giovanni
Russian Иван
Portuguese João

Famous People Named Juan

J

Juan Carlos I

Politician

1938

Former King of Spain who oversaw the country's transition from dictatorship to democracy

J

Juan Marichal

Athlete

1937

Dominican baseball pitcher and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee known as The Dominican Dandy

J

Juan Manuel Fangio

Athlete

1911

Argentine Formula One racing driver, five-time world champion, widely considered one of the greatest drivers in history

D

Don Juan Fictional

Other

The legendary Spanish fictional libertine and seducer, first created by Tirso de Molina in 1630

J

Juan Valdez Fictional

Other

The iconic fictional Colombian coffee farmer character, advertising mascot for the National Federation of Coffee Growers...

The iconic fictional Colombian coffee farmer character, advertising mascot for the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia since 1958

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
1
Popularity Rank
#137
Total SSA Count
2,601
Cultural Origins
Spanish Latin American Filipino
Pronunciation
Hard
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Low

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Juanito

Pairs Well With

Juan Carlos Juan Miguel Juan Antonio Juan Pablo Juan Andres Juan Fernando Juan Jose

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Juan is also used as a girl name, ranked #38194.

View Juan as a girl name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Juan

What does the name Juan mean?
"gift of God" (from Hebrew). "God is gracious" (from Hebrew via Latin via Spanish). "God has shown favor" (from Hebrew Yochanan). Juan is the Spanish form of John, which derives from the Hebrew Yochanan meaning God is gracious or God has been gracious. The name traveled from Hebrew to Greek (Ioannes) to Latin (Iohannes) to Old French (Johan) and finally Spanish (Juan). It is one of the most enduring names in Christian tradition, borne by John the Baptist, John the Apostle, and 23 popes.
What is the origin of the name Juan?
Juan has Hebrew, Hebrew via Latin via Spanish, Hebrew Yochanan, Spanish, Latin American, and Filipino origins. In Hebrew, it means "gift of God". In Hebrew via Latin via Spanish, it means "God is gracious". In Hebrew Yochanan, it means "God has shown favor".
Is Juan a boy or girl name?
Juan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #137. As a girl name, it is ranked #38194. Juan is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Juan?
Juan is pronounced w-AHN.
How popular is the name Juan?
Juan is currently ranked #137 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Juan?
Common nicknames for Juan include Juanito.
What are good middle names for Juan?
Popular middle name pairings include Juan Carlos, Juan Miguel, Juan Antonio, Juan Pablo, Juan Andres, Juan Fernando, and Juan Jose.
What are good sibling names for Juan?
Names that pair well with Juan as siblings include Miguel, Carlos, Diego, Sofia, Isabella, and Valentina.
How many syllables does Juan have?
Juan has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Juan a common or rare name?
Juan is a popular name, ranked #137 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Juan

Juan is a boy name with Spanish, Latin American, and Filipino origins . The name means "gift of God" in Hebrew .

Is Juan a boy or girl name? Juan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #137 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #38,194. Juan is more commonly used as a boy name.

Juan is currently ranked #137 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Juan has 1 syllable and is pronounced w-AHN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Juan include Juanito. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Juan include Juancarlos, Juanpablo, Juaquin . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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