Jansen Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YAN-sen /ˈjɑn.sən/
Origin: Dutch; Scandinavian
Meaning: Dutch: son of Jan; Scandinavian: son of John
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jansen has its roots in the Dutch language, deriving from the given name Jan, which is a variant of Johannes, the Latin form of the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." The transition from Yochanan to Johannes occurred through the Greek form Ioannes, which was adopted into Latin. The surname Jansen essentially means "son of Jan" or "son of Johannes," following the common practice in Dutch and other cultures of forming surnames by adding a suffix to denote lineage.
This surname entered the English-speaking world primarily through Dutch immigration and trade, particularly during the 17th century when the Netherlands was a significant maritime power. Historically, the name Jan has been borne by various notable figures, including Jan van Eyck, a prominent Flemish painter of the early Renaissance, and Jan Hus, a Czech theologian and reformer who was executed in 1415.
The name Johannes appears in the New Testament of the Bible, with John the Baptist and John the Apostle being key figures, which contributed to the name's enduring significance in Christian contexts. The use of Jansen as a surname became more widespread in the 17th century, coinciding with the rise of the Dutch Republic and its influence in Europe.
Culturally, the name Jansen carries connotations of heritage and lineage, reflecting the importance of family connections in Dutch society. It is associated with a sense of tradition and continuity, often evoking the values of grace and favor as suggested by its etymological roots.
The diminutive form Jan is still commonly used in various cultures, further emphasizing the name's deep historical and cultural resonance. Overall, Jansen encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural identity.
Famous people named Jansen
In this section, you will find notable people named Jansen. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Jansen who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Jansen who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Jansen Panettiere is an actor best known for The Perfect Game, Ice Age: The Meltdown, and The Walking Dead.
Jansen Smith is a musician best known for his work with the band The Jansen Band.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jansen, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Jansen. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jansen was first seen in the United States in 1958.
Jansen has ranked as high as #1149 nationally, which occurred in 1994, and has been most popular in Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, California, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Jansen has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Jansen is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Jansen was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Jansen (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 6 | |
| PA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Jansen.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 45 |
| 2023 | 38 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2021 | 41 |
| 2020 | 36 |
| 2019 | 47 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2017 | 59 |
| 2016 | 40 |
| 2015 | 47 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2013 | 45 |
| 2012 | 40 |
| 2011 | 42 |
| 2010 | 45 |
| 2009 | 40 |
| 2008 | 40 |
| 2007 | 59 |
| 2006 | 49 |
| 2005 | 50 |
| 2004 | 52 |
| 2003 | 38 |
| 2002 | 46 |
| 2001 | 57 |
| 2000 | 52 |
| 1999 | 56 |
| 1998 | 64 |
| 1997 | 66 |
| 1996 | 56 |
| 1995 | 53 |
| 1994 | 88 |
| 1993 | 40 |
| 1992 | 47 |
| 1991 | 26 |
| 1990 | 35 |
| 1989 | 35 |
| 1988 | 30 |
| 1987 | 24 |
| 1986 | 27 |
| 1985 | 31 |
| 1984 | 29 |
| 1983 | 20 |
| 1982 | 20 |
| 1981 | 27 |
| 1980 | 26 |
| 1979 | 18 |
| 1978 | 18 |
| 1977 | 21 |
| 1976 | 8 |
| 1975 | 10 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1973 | 11 |
| 1972 | 11 |
| 1971 | 6 |
| 1970 | 6 |
| 1969 | 10 |
| 1966 | 5 |
| 1965 | 10 |
| 1964 | 7 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1958 | 5 |