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Jean as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Jean

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The baby name Jean is a Unisex name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced English: /dʒiːn/ (JEEN); French: /ʒɑ̃/ (≈ ZHAN, nasal).

Jean is Hebrew in Origin.

Gender: Unisex
Syllables: 1.0
Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: English: /dʒiːn/ (JEEN); French: /ʒɑ̃/ (≈ ZHAN, nasal)

What is the meaning of the name Jean ?

The baby name Jean is a Unisex name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced English: /dʒiːn/ (JEEN); French: /ʒɑ̃/ (≈ ZHAN, nasal).

Jean is Hebrew in Origin.

Jean is a form of the biblical name John, ultimately from Hebrew Yochanan “God is gracious,” via Greek Iōannēs and Latin Iohannes. Usage and gender differ by language: in French, Jean (zhahn) is the standard masculine given name; in English and Scots, Jean (jeen) is commonly feminine, parallel to Jane/Jeanne.

In France it has anchored countless saints and royals, and lives in compounds like Jean-Baptiste and Jean-Paul; notable bearers include Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Jean Cocteau. The English feminine Jean peaked in the early–mid 20th century, exemplified by actress Jean Harlow, and persists in Scotland. Variants and diminutives include Jeanne, Jehan (medieval), Jeannot, Jeannette, Jeanie/Jeannie, and hyphenated forms. Cognates across languages include John, Johann, Jan, Giovanni, Juan, João, Seán, Ian, Ivan, Ioan, and Johan - all carrying the meaning “God is gracious.”

Jean has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Jean

Armand-Jean du Plessis, duc de Richelieu Politician · Born 1585 · Kingdom of France Armand-Jean du Plessis, known as Cardinal Richelieu, was a key political figure in the Kingdom of France during the early 17th century. He is most famous for serving as the chief minister to King Louis XIII, where he strengthened the central government and played a crucial role in shaping France's foreign and domestic policies. His influence extended to the arts and culture, notably founding the Académie Française. Jean-Marie Le Pen Politician · Born 1928 · France Jean-Marie Le Pen was a French politician best known for founding the far-right National Front, now called National Rally. He led the party from 1972 to 2011 and later served as its honorary president from 2011 to 2015. Jean Gabin Actor · Born 1904 · France Jean Gabin was a legendary French actor and singer, best known as one of the biggest stars of classic French cinema. He is especially remembered for films like Pépé le Moko, La grande illusion, and Le Quai des brumes.
Jean Reno Actor · Born 1948 · Spain Jean Reno is a French and Spanish actor best known for his leading roles in French cinema and international films. He became especially famous through his collaborations with director Luc Besson, with standout performances in Léon: The Professional, The Big Blue, and Nikita. Jean-Bedel Bokassa Politician · Born 1921 · France Jean-Bedel Bokassa was a Central African politician who became infamous for declaring himself Emperor of the Central African Empire in 1976. His reign was marked by opulence and controversy until he was overthrown in 1979. Jean Jaurès Politician · Born 1859 · France Jean Jaurès was a French socialist leader best known for helping unite the French socialist movement and for his outspoken pacifism before World War I. Born in 1859, he began in republican politics, later became a leading social democrat, and in 1902 led the French Socialist Party against the more revolutionary line of Jules Guesde.

Celebrity babies named Jean

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Jean Camus Albert Camus association footballer
Jean Depardieu Gérard Depardieu film director
Jean Mascolo Marguerite Duras film director
Jean Kennedy Smith Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. film producer

Jean – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 2025 #1 874
Ireland Boys 2024 #1 820
Germany Boys 2018 #1 431
HT Boys 0 #1 81 903
CM 0 #3 70 2,592
CM Boys 0 #3 6,831 12,054
HT Girls 0 #3 34 950
HT 0 #3 13 399
BI 0 #5 8 425
KH Boys 0 #9 1 270
BI Boys 0 #11 39 917
KR Girls 0 #15 1 572
DJ 0 #17 1 322
PH Girls 0 #17 906 13,098
BW 0 #18 2 960
BF Boys 0 #20 7 439
NA 0 #23 11 2,537
KR Boys 0 #26 2 897
PH 0 #28 71 5,607
SV Boys 0 #28 1 352
BN 0 #29 4 2,297
MT 0 #29 15 1,767
DJ Boys 0 #32 5 657
BI Girls 0 #33 1 726
MV Girls 0 #35 1 2,021
LU 0 #36 31 2,830
EE 0 #37 1 1,051
LU Boys 0 #37 376 4,970
HN Girls 0 #38 1 884
ID 0 #39 1 2,238
PR 0 #45 11 1,497
MO 0 #50 3 2,706
MU Boys 0 #50 821 8,477
HN Boys 0 #52 1 749
TW 0 #52 49 4,523
KW Girls 0 #55 938 19,177
CY 0 #56 5 1,632
BR Boys 0 #57 9,427 12,213
NL Boys 2014 #58 9 79
PR Boys 0 #61 161 2,508
CN 0 #65 21 3,857
AO 0 #67 10 2,729
PA 0 #72 60 3,797
JM 0 #74 14 3,714
JP 0 #75 3 4,057
QA 0 #75 26 7,011
SI 0 #79 2 1,612
SG Girls 0 #80 1,279 18,916
BG 0 #81 2 1,799
EC 0 #83 33 2,502
PA Boys 0 #83 1,422 9,305
MT Boys 0 #86 107 4,064
TW Girls 0 #86 244 8,139
BN Girls 0 #87 20 5,459
France Boys 2021 #93 638 2,865
KZ 0 #93 2 1,452
CY Girls 0 #95 27 3,755
MU 0 #95 44 3,613
BR 0 #97 370 5,969
OM 0 #98 19 6,215
KW 0 #99 18 5,216
ID Girls 0 #100 3 3,319
LB 0 #102 1,665 13,263
SD 0 #102 1 2,130
QA Girls 0 #105 247 15,378
CL Boys 0 #107 4,301 13,390
GE Girls 0 #108 1 1,564
SG 0 #108 186 11,010
EC Boys 0 #109 209 3,322
JM Girls 0 #109 186 7,507
PE Boys 0 #109 5,528 14,506
GE Boys 0 #110 1 2,055
HU 0 #114 2 1,675
ZA 0 #114 411 14,421
Belgium Boys 2024 #116 73 401
AE 0 #121 57 10,220
CY Boys 0 #125 7 3,473
EE Boys 0 #125 1 2,087
CR 0 #128 31 5,526
GR 0 #129 7 3,911
Switzerland Boys 2024 #130 8 1,769
IQ 0 #131 3 3,533
MT Girls 0 #131 21 3,773
ID Boys 0 #134 2 4,130
PE 0 #137 201 6,350
BN Boys 0 #139 1 6,332
Norway Boys 2010 #141 6 480
BW Girls 0 #146 6 4,216
CO Boys 0 #147 5,481 15,656
LT Boys 0 #148 4 2,166
BW Boys 0 #149 6 4,685
RS Boys 0 #154 1 2,277
PR Girls 0 #160 8 3,171
HU Boys 0 #169 6 3,954
AO Boys 0 #170 74 5,568
MO Girls 0 #176 76 7,056
HR 0 #181 1 2,081
UY 0 #181 2 2,477
Sweden Boys 2018 #183 4 1,584
LU Girls 0 #183 8 4,850
OM Girls 0 #184 223 15,987
AR 0 #185 9 2,915
CZ 0 #185 2 3,154
AE Girls 0 #186 437 20,968
NA Boys 0 #186 50 6,830
CR Boys 0 #190 485 10,188
DK 0 #190 14 5,198
RU 0 #191 4 3,641
CN Girls 0 #193 183 8,829
SI Boys 0 #205 7 3,402
BG Boys 0 #207 13 3,850
NA Girls 0 #207 18 7,146
PL 0 #210 3 2,600
MO Boys 0 #212 12 5,842
PT Boys 0 #212 181 7,951
AO Girls 0 #217 1 4,575
CL 0 #220 228 6,867
PS 0 #220 7 5,692
HU Girls 0 #225 1 3,308
JP Girls 0 #225 21 6,592
MY 0 #226 109 12,352
AL Girls 0 #227 1 4,141
TW Boys 0 #227 15 7,111
IR 0 #228 4 4,221
BG Girls 0 #230 2 3,559
PT 0 #231 16 4,161
GH 0 #232 12 5,396
GR Girls 0 #233 10 6,293
UY Boys 0 #238 214 5,922
GR Boys 0 #240 28 6,912
SA 0 #242 54 10,560
JP Boys 0 #245 53 7,909
HR Boys 0 #246 13 3,997
EC Girls 0 #254 5 3,650
DK Boys 0 #258 68 7,401
SA Girls 0 #259 1,051 25,931
JM Boys 0 #263 10 6,876
IL 0 #264 11 6,291
CZ Boys 0 #266 39 6,530
NG 0 #266 7 5,926
Canada Girls 2024 #273 13 2,795
HK Girls 0 #275 456 16,104
CN Boys 0 #276 44 9,639
KZ Boys 0 #276 14 6,578
Canada Boys 2024 #277 30 2,588
CO 0 #277 245 7,768
HK 0 #288 61 8,483
DK Girls 0 #291 26 7,429
GH Boys 0 #293 54 8,138
GT 0 #294 21 5,948
Finland 0 #296 12 830
JO Girls 0 #296 30 7,570
AL Boys 0 #303 1 5,122
PL Boys 0 #309 27 6,459
ZA Boys 0 #310 1,969 25,619
GH Girls 0 #314 11 6,973
MU Girls 0 #314 38 8,539
ZA Girls 0 #318 1,896 25,928
NL 0 #322 70 2,481
GT Boys 0 #325 156 7,625
PH Boys 0 #325 59 11,440
KZ Girls 0 #327 6 5,862
BO 0 #331 51 6,868
CZ Girls 0 #347 5 5,378
SD Girls 0 #351 8 7,678
NL Boys 0 #355 990 5,873
PL Girls 0 #359 6 5,096
Germany 0 #361 78 2,542
Spain 0 #367 86 2,326
YE 0 #367 15 8,639
AR Boys 0 #368 101 7,628
MX 0 #369 45 8,339
BH 0 #371 183 17,937
Finland Girls 0 #371 21 1,368
BO Boys 0 #374 258 9,244
EG 0 #378 23 6,387
CM Girls 0 #385 160 11,671
Finland Boys 0 #386 42 2,041
JO Boys 0 #386 4 7,057
France Girls 2003 #389 3 2,806
MY Girls 0 #395 846 24,821
BD Girls 0 #401 6 8,413
Austria Boys 0 #410 33 2,180
Austria Girls 0 #410 11 1,885
SD Boys 0 #424 22 10,523
Spain Boys 0 #433 693 5,610
HK Boys 0 #435 93 12,905
Finland Boys 2026 #438 301 3,552
RU Boys 0 #440 66 12,621
PT Girls 0 #441 11 7,952
IQ Girls 0 #444 61 11,303
PA Girls 0 #452 30 9,861
MX Boys 0 #459 755 16,355
PS Girls 0 #468 56 10,981
RU Girls 0 #469 30 11,913
KW Boys 0 #473 312 18,755
CR Girls 0 #475 58 11,342
PS Boys 0 #479 70 10,655
TN 0 #479 435 13,765
GT Girls 0 #485 21 7,500
IT Boys 0 #498 1,801 10,046
IR Boys 0 #512 41 10,162
Germany Boys 0 #520 527 5,697
IR Girls 0 #520 11 8,334
IL Boys 0 #521 87 10,983
LY 0 #523 13 12,703
UY Girls 0 #529 8 6,731
QA Boys 0 #534 174 18,093
SY 0 #534 204 11,684
MA 0 #547 820 20,986
IL Girls 0 #557 61 11,648
IT 0 #557 160 4,183
BO Girls 0 #575 37 9,488
AR Girls 0 #586 14 8,289
BD Boys 0 #598 8 10,045
IQ Boys 0 #602 66 13,071
SG Boys 0 #608 90 17,960
CL Girls 0 #612 246 14,098
IN Girls 0 #621 11 13,121
Germany Girls 0 #630 212 4,949
OM Boys 0 #636 253 17,948
NG Girls 0 #664 124 15,093
EG Boys 0 #672 218 15,035
United States Boys 2024 #709 184 7,044
Finland Girls 2026 #717 22 3,895
NL Girls 0 #717 242 5,933
DZ 0 #763 439 20,130
Spain Girls 0 #792 193 5,561
NG Boys 0 #825 127 16,906
United States Girls 2024 #842 75 8,487
BR Girls 0 #853 89 12,708
PE Girls 0 #853 91 14,861
AE Boys 0 #900 193 22,615
EG Girls 0 #906 54 14,742
CO Girls 0 #947 132 16,140
IN Boys 0 #986 16 16,750
MY Boys 0 #1,023 89 25,439
MX Girls 0 #1,075 109 17,781
TR 0 #1,077 135 19,440
IT Girls 0 #1,184 264 9,415
SA Boys 0 #1,428 187 28,008

Jean is popular in 96 countries — most recent births per country:

France
NL
Ireland
Norway
Canada

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People also ask about Jean

Jean is a unisex name, given to both boys and girls.
Jean is a one syllable name, pronounced English: /dʒiːn/ (JEEN); French: /ʒɑ̃/ (≈ ZHAN, nasal).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Jeanne, Jeanette, Jeannette, Jeanie, Jeannie and Jeanine.
Across languages, Jean has these equivalents: John (English, male), Jane (English, female), Jean (French, male), Jeanne (French, female), Juan (Spanish), and 7 more.
Yes, very popular — Jean ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 12 countries.
Jean ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Yes — 46 notable people named Jean are in our database, including Armand-Jean du Plessis, duc de Richelieu (Politician), Jean-Marie Le Pen (Politician), Jean Gabin (Actor).
Yes — at least 4 celebrity couples have chosen Jean for their child, including Albert Camus.