JAN

Jan is a masculine given name used in many European languages. It is a short form of Johannes (Latin Ioannes), itself from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." In Dutch, German, Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, Jan is a standard given name; in Czech, Slovak, and Polish it is also common. It may be used as a stand-alone name or as a nickname for longer forms such as Johann, Johannes, or Janusz. In English-speaking contexts, Jan is often a short form of John, Jonathan, or a local equivalent.

Several historically notable persons bore the name. The Early Netherlandish painter Jan van Eyck (c. 1390–1441) is widely regarded as a master of early oil painting. The Dutch Golden Age painter Jan Steen (1626–1679) is known for lively genre scenes. The Czech reformer Jan Hus (c. 1369–1415) and the Bohemian general Jan Žižka (c. 1360–1424) played major roles in the Hussite Wars. In modern times, many people named Jan have contributed to politics, science, arts, and sports.

In calendars, Jan. is the standard abbreviation for January in English and in many languages using Latin script. The name continues to be widely used across cultures, reflecting its historical roots and broad international presence.