The given name Juan has its origins in the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious" or "Graced by God". It is derived from the root words yo (meaning Yahweh) and hanan (meaning to be gracious or merciful). The name was later Latinized into the form Johannes during the spread of Christianity.

Juan is the Spanish variant of Johannes, which emerged in the Iberian Peninsula during the early Middle Ages. The name was introduced to the region by Christian missionaries and became widely adopted among the local population. It was particularly popular in areas that had been under Moorish rule, as Juan represented a Christian name distinct from Arabic names.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Juan can be found in the Codex Calixtinus, a 12th-century manuscript that documented the journey of pilgrims along the Camino de Santiago. The text mentions a Spanish nobleman named Juan Arias who assisted pilgrims along the route.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Juan. In the 15th century, Juan de Torquemada (1388-1468) was a Spanish Catholic cardinal and theologian who played a significant role in the Spanish Inquisition. Juan Ponce de León (1460-1521) was a Spanish explorer and conquistador credited with the first European expedition to Florida and the search for the mythical Fountain of Youth.

During the Golden Age of Spanish literature, Juan Ruiz (c. 1283-1350) was a renowned poet and author of the satirical masterpiece "Libro de Buen Amor" (Book of Good Love). Juan de la Cruz (1542-1591), a Carmelite friar and mystic, is revered as one of the greatest poets and spiritual writers in the Spanish language.

In the realm of art, Juan Gris (1887-1927) was a renowned Spanish Cubist painter and sculptor, known for his innovative approach to depicting synthetic cubism on canvas. Juan Miró (1893-1983), a surrealist artist from Barcelona, is celebrated for his abstract and whimsical paintings, sculptures, and ceramics.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the given name Juan, reflecting its enduring legacy and cultural significance in the Spanish-speaking world.