Jean Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: zhahn //ʒɑ̃//
Origin: French; Hebrew
Meaning: French: God is gracious; Hebrew: gift from God
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jean has its roots in the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." This name was adapted into Greek as Ioannes and subsequently into Latin as Iohannes. The name made its way into Old French as Jehan, which later evolved into Jean.
The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where it was adopted in various forms, including John and its feminine counterpart, Jean, which became more prominent in later centuries. Historically, the name Jean has been borne by numerous notable figures, including saints and monarchs.
One of the most significant early bearers was Saint John the Baptist, a key figure in Christianity, whose life and teachings are chronicled in the New Testament. The name also appears in various forms in the King James Bible, published in 1611, which helped to standardize many biblical names in English-speaking cultures.
In medieval France, the name Jean was common among nobility, contributing to its association with leadership and piety. Culturally, the name Jean has resonated through various traditions and artistic expressions.
In French culture, it has been linked to a sense of elegance and sophistication, often appearing in literature and art. The name has also been associated with several historical queens and influential women, further solidifying its significance in European history.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Jeanne have been used, particularly in French-speaking regions, enhancing the name's versatility and appeal across different cultures.
Famous people named Jean
In this section, you will find notable people named Jean. 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 Jean who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Jean 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.
Jean-Paul Sartre is a philosopher and playwright best known for Being and Nothingness, No Exit, and Nausea.
Jean-Luc Godard is a film director best known for Breathless, Weekend, and Alphaville.
Jean-Claude Van Damme is an actor best known for Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and Universal Soldier.
Jean Reno is an actor best known for Léon: The Professional, The Da Vinci Code, and The Pink Panther.
Jean Sibelius is a composer best known for Finlandia, Violin Concerto, and Symphony No. 2.
Jean-Michel Jarre is a composer and electronic music producer best known for Oxygène, Équinoxe, and Zoolook.
Jean Harlow is an actress best known for Platinum Blonde, Dinner at Eight, and Bombshell.
Jean Stapleton is an actress best known for All in the Family, The Lion in Winter, and You’ve Got Mail.
Jean Smart is an actress best known for Designing Women, 24, and Hacks.
Jean-Pierre Jeunet is a film director best known for Amélie, Delicatessen, and A Very Long Engagement.
Fictional characters named Jean
The following list of fictional characters named Jean is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Jean Valjean is a fictional character from the novel Les Misérables. He is an ex-convict who seeks redemption and a new life after being released from prison.
Jean Grey is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe. She is a powerful mutant known for her telepathic and telekinetic abilities, often associated with the X-Men.
Jean-Luc Picard is a fictional character from the TV and film franchise Star Trek. He is the captain of the starship USS Enterprise-D and a key figure in exploring the galaxy and promoting peace.
Jean-Pierre Polnareff is a fictional character from the manga and anime series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. He is a Stand user who plays a significant role in the battle against the main antagonist in his story arc.
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is a fictional character from the novel Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. He is a gifted but disturbed individual obsessed with creating the perfect scent, leading him down a dark path.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jean, 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 Jean. 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 Jean was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Jean has ranked as high as #29 nationally, which occurred in 1927, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Massachusetts.
In the past 5 years the name Jean has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Jean 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 Jean was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Jean.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 264 | 176 | 88 |
| 2024 | 260 | 185 | 75 |
| 2023 | 219 | 152 | 67 |
| 2022 | 208 | 135 | 73 |
| 2021 | 191 | 108 | 83 |
| 2020 | 197 | 122 | 75 |
| 2019 | 233 | 143 | 90 |
| 2018 | 224 | 148 | 76 |
| 2017 | 235 | 162 | 73 |
| 2016 | 257 | 182 | 75 |
| 2015 | 221 | 154 | 67 |
| 2014 | 261 | 184 | 77 |
| 2013 | 248 | 185 | 63 |
| 2012 | 249 | 190 | 59 |
| 2011 | 267 | 209 | 58 |
| 2010 | 341 | 272 | 69 |
| 2009 | 256 | 210 | 46 |
| 2008 | 283 | 222 | 61 |
| 2007 | 327 | 241 | 86 |
| 2006 | 372 | 299 | 73 |
| 2005 | 322 | 242 | 80 |
| 2004 | 371 | 294 | 77 |
| 2003 | 356 | 267 | 89 |
| 2002 | 349 | 262 | 87 |
| 2001 | 400 | 288 | 112 |
| 2000 | 410 | 292 | 118 |
| 1999 | 355 | 246 | 109 |
| 1998 | 341 | 190 | 151 |
| 1997 | 386 | 249 | 137 |
| 1996 | 380 | 240 | 140 |
| 1995 | 450 | 291 | 159 |
| 1994 | 486 | 297 | 189 |
| 1993 | 642 | 428 | 214 |
| 1992 | 575 | 364 | 211 |
| 1991 | 580 | 306 | 274 |
| 1990 | 622 | 357 | 265 |
| 1989 | 610 | 262 | 348 |
| 1988 | 618 | 289 | 329 |
| 1987 | 664 | 283 | 381 |
| 1986 | 660 | 260 | 400 |
| 1985 | 716 | 250 | 466 |
| 1984 | 787 | 268 | 519 |
| 1983 | 805 | 280 | 525 |
| 1982 | 874 | 271 | 603 |
| 1981 | 845 | 240 | 605 |
| 1980 | 896 | 214 | 682 |
| 1979 | 864 | 206 | 658 |
| 1978 | 834 | 182 | 652 |
| 1977 | 945 | 180 | 765 |
| 1976 | 1,029 | 217 | 812 |
| 1975 | 1,076 | 193 | 883 |
| 1974 | 1,190 | 230 | 960 |
| 1973 | 1,334 | 225 | 1,109 |
| 1972 | 1,528 | 228 | 1,300 |
| 1971 | 2,070 | 294 | 1,776 |
| 1970 | 2,385 | 273 | 2,112 |
| 1969 | 2,144 | 236 | 1,908 |
| 1968 | 2,310 | 231 | 2,079 |
| 1967 | 2,753 | 207 | 2,546 |
| 1966 | 3,120 | 201 | 2,919 |
| 1965 | 3,563 | 199 | 3,364 |
| 1964 | 4,263 | 166 | 4,097 |
| 1963 | 4,636 | 151 | 4,485 |
| 1962 | 5,014 | 137 | 4,877 |
| 1961 | 5,523 | 157 | 5,366 |
| 1960 | 5,785 | 146 | 5,639 |
| 1959 | 6,383 | 150 | 6,233 |
| 1958 | 6,667 | 146 | 6,521 |
| 1957 | 7,214 | 166 | 7,048 |
| 1956 | 7,345 | 170 | 7,175 |
| 1955 | 7,631 | 151 | 7,480 |
| 1954 | 7,824 | 159 | 7,665 |
| 1953 | 7,692 | 121 | 7,571 |
| 1952 | 7,657 | 146 | 7,511 |
| 1951 | 7,769 | 142 | 7,627 |
| 1950 | 7,597 | 165 | 7,432 |
| 1949 | 7,924 | 164 | 7,760 |
| 1948 | 7,924 | 150 | 7,774 |
| 1947 | 9,096 | 156 | 8,940 |
| 1946 | 8,706 | 152 | 8,554 |
| 1945 | 7,585 | 156 | 7,429 |
| 1944 | 7,822 | 172 | 7,650 |
| 1943 | 8,259 | 163 | 8,096 |
| 1942 | 8,414 | 157 | 8,257 |
| 1941 | 7,992 | 152 | 7,840 |
| 1940 | 8,214 | 151 | 8,063 |
| 1939 | 7,449 | 157 | 7,292 |
| 1938 | 7,930 | 166 | 7,764 |
| 1937 | 8,548 | 156 | 8,392 |
| 1936 | 8,715 | 179 | 8,536 |
| 1935 | 9,047 | 195 | 8,852 |
| 1934 | 9,896 | 178 | 9,718 |
| 1933 | 10,170 | 204 | 9,966 |
| 1932 | 10,910 | 240 | 10,670 |
| 1931 | 11,299 | 286 | 11,013 |
| 1930 | 12,274 | 288 | 11,986 |
| 1929 | 12,153 | 288 | 11,865 |
| 1928 | 12,536 | 327 | 12,209 |
| 1927 | 12,775 | 263 | 12,512 |
| 1926 | 12,466 | 298 | 12,168 |
| 1925 | 11,901 | 303 | 11,598 |
| 1924 | 11,056 | 335 | 10,721 |
| 1923 | 9,818 | 307 | 9,511 |
| 1922 | 9,398 | 289 | 9,109 |
| 1921 | 8,883 | 291 | 8,592 |
| 1920 | 7,991 | 277 | 7,714 |
| 1919 | 7,023 | 224 | 6,799 |
| 1918 | 6,825 | 225 | 6,600 |
| 1917 | 5,879 | 187 | 5,692 |
| 1916 | 5,243 | 162 | 5,081 |
| 1915 | 4,765 | 162 | 4,603 |
| 1914 | 3,394 | 113 | 3,281 |
| 1913 | 2,645 | 100 | 2,545 |
| 1912 | 2,146 | 90 | 2,056 |
| 1911 | 1,425 | 44 | 1,381 |
| 1910 | 1,290 | 44 | 1,246 |
| 1909 | 963 | 23 | 940 |
| 1908 | 883 | 31 | 852 |
| 1907 | 810 | 40 | 770 |
| 1906 | 694 | 28 | 666 |
| 1905 | 570 | 22 | 548 |
| 1904 | 509 | 26 | 483 |
| 1903 | 484 | 22 | 462 |
| 1902 | 430 | 22 | 408 |
| 1901 | 360 | 31 | 329 |
| 1900 | 495 | 22 | 473 |
| 1899 | 331 | 13 | 318 |
| 1898 | 362 | 21 | 341 |
| 1897 | 278 | 20 | 258 |
| 1896 | 282 | 27 | 255 |
| 1895 | 251 | 19 | 232 |
| 1894 | 261 | 19 | 242 |
| 1893 | 230 | 15 | 215 |
| 1892 | 213 | 19 | 194 |
| 1891 | 198 | 17 | 181 |
| 1890 | 175 | 15 | 160 |
| 1889 | 183 | 12 | 171 |
| 1888 | 159 | 14 | 145 |
| 1887 | 133 | 21 | 112 |
| 1886 | 135 | 11 | 124 |
| 1885 | 116 | 17 | 99 |
| 1884 | 128 | 25 | 103 |
| 1883 | 102 | 19 | 83 |
| 1882 | 72 | 12 | 60 |
| 1881 | 53 | 9 | 44 |
| 1880 | 71 | 12 | 59 |
Top States for Jean (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 31 | |
| FL | 30 | |
| NY | 27 | |
| TX | 25 | |
| NJ | 13 | |
| OH | 8 | |
| PA | 8 | |
| MA | 6 | |
| GA | 5 | |
| UT | 5 | |
| CT | 5 |