Jansen is a Dutch masculine given name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the given name Jan, which itself comes from the Latin Johannes, meaning "God is gracious." Jansen has been a popular name in the Netherlands for centuries and is often given to boys born into Dutch families with strong ties to their cultural heritage.
The name Jansen first appeared in the Netherlands during the Middle Ages, although it may have existed earlier as a patronymic surname. It was commonly used among the Dutch nobility and eventually became widespread throughout all levels of society. Today, Jansen remains a popular choice for parents in the Netherlands, with thousands of boys bearing this name each year.
One notable figure with the given name Jansen is Jansenius, a Dutch theologian born in the late 16th century. He was an influential figure in the Calvinist movement and played a significant role in shaping religious thought during his time. Although not directly related to the popularization of the name Jansen, his prominence may have contributed to its enduring popularity among Dutch families.
In summary, Jansen is a masculine given name with Dutch origins that translates to "God is gracious." It has been widely used throughout history and continues to be popular today, particularly in the Netherlands. Despite its historical significance and association with notable figures such as Jansenius, there are no specific festivals or personality traits linked directly to this name. Instead, parents may choose Jansen simply because they like its sound or feel drawn to its cultural heritage.
The name Jansen has seen a varied trend of popularity over the past six decades in the United States.
The earliest data point available is from 1958 with only 5 babies being named Jansen that year. However, there was a noticeable increase in popularity between 1964 and 1972, with the number of births ranging from 6 to 11 per year during this period.
Thereafter, the name Jansen experienced significant growth in popularity. The years 1977 to 1985 saw an average of approximately 23 babies named Jansen annually, peaking at 29 births in 1984 and 31 births in 1985.
The late eighties and early nineties marked another surge in popularity for the name Jansen. Between 1987 and 1994, there were between 24 and 88 babies named Jansen each year, with the highest point being reached in 1994.
However, since then, the popularity of the name has somewhat declined. Although it still maintains a consistent presence, with around 30 to 60 births per year from 1995 to present day, it has yet to reach the heights seen in the mid-eighties and early nineties.
In total, over the span of 2044 years, there have been approximately 2044 babies named Jansen born in the United States. This indicates that while Jansen is not one of the most popular names, it has maintained a steady presence throughout recent decades.