Juan

Juan is a male given name of Spanish origin, equivalent to John in English. It derives from the Latin Ioannes, via the Greek Ioannes, ultimately from Hebrew Yochanan meaning “Yahweh is gracious.” It is primarily used in Spanish-speaking countries and communities.

The name is especially common in Spain, Latin America, and among Hispanic communities worldwide. The feminine form is Juana. Variants in other languages include João (Portuguese), Giovanni (Italian), and Jean (French). Diminutives and affectionate forms include Juanito, Juancito, Juani, and, in some contexts, Juanín.

Notable people named Juan span politics, sports, arts, and exploration. Examples include Juan Carlos I, former king of Spain; Juan Manuel Santos, president of Colombia; Juan Guaidó, Venezuelan politician; Juan Sebastián Elcano, 16th-century Spanish explorer of Magellan’s circumnavigation; Juan Ponce de León, early Spanish explorer; and Juan Luis Guerra, Dominican musician.

In culture, the figure of Don Juan—derived from the name—appears as a legendary seducer in Spanish literature and has become an archetype for a libertine in various works. The name Juan remains widely used across Spanish-speaking societies and continues to be a common given name in many communities worldwide.