Jaan first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Jaan has been for the last 24 years (from 1999 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Jaan

A Persian masculine name meaning "life" or "soul".

Popularity of Jaan by gender

Based on the last 24 years of data, Jaan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Jaan.

Year Male Count Female Count
2022 5 0
2020 10 0
2019 7 0
2018 9 0
2017 5 0
2016 7 0
2014 7 0
2012 6 0
2011 5 0
2010 7 0
2009 6 0
2008 8 0
2007 9 0
2006 12 0
2005 7 0
2004 6 0
2003 8 0
2002 7 0
2001 6 0
1999 9 0

The history of the first name Jaan

The name Jaan has its origins in the Persian language, where it is a variant spelling of the name "Jan." It is derived from the Persian word "jān," meaning "life" or "soul." The earliest recorded uses of the name date back to ancient Persia, now known as Iran, and it was commonly used during the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BC).

In ancient Persian literature, the name Jaan appears in various texts and manuscripts, often associated with concepts of vitality, spirit, and life force. One notable example is the use of the name in the poetry of Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet and mystic, who frequently employed the word "jān" in his works.

The name Jaan has also been prominent in Islamic traditions, as it is mentioned in the Quran and other religious texts. In the Quran, the word "jān" is used to refer to the soul or the essence of life, further cementing its significance in the cultural and religious heritage of the region.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Jaan. One of the earliest recorded individuals was Jaan ibn Malik, a 9th-century Persian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the development of trigonometry and astronomy.

Another prominent individual was Jaan al-Shatir, a 14th-century Syrian astronomer and mathematician who made important advancements in the study of planetary motion and the development of astronomical models.

In the realm of literature, Jaan Sahib, a 17th-century Punjabi poet and Sufi mystic, is renowned for his spiritual poetry and his influence on the Punjabi literary tradition.

During the 19th century, Jaan Baz Khan was a prominent military leader and statesman in the Sikh Empire, serving as the governor of several regions and playing a crucial role in the expansion and consolidation of the empire.

Jaan Siraj was a 20th-century Indian writer and journalist who made significant contributions to the Urdu literature and journalism scene, particularly in the pre-independence era.

While the name Jaan has its roots in the Persian language and culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and has been adopted by various communities and cultures over the centuries, carrying with it the essence of life and vitality.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Jaan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jaan, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Jaan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 19, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/jaan-meaning-and-history/.

"Jaan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/jaan-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 19 June, 2025

Jaan first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/jaan-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.