Hans (given name)


Hans is a male given name in Afrikaans, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Faroese, German, Norwegian, Icelandic and Swedish-speaking populations. It was originally short for Johannes, but is now also recognized as a name in its own right for official purposes. The earliest documented usage was in 1356 in Sweden, 1360 in Norway, and the 14th century in Denmark.
The name Hansel is a diminutive, meaning 'little Hans'. Another diminutive with the same meaning is Hänschen, found in the German proverb was Hänschen nicht lernt, lernt Hans nimmermehr; which translates roughly as 'what Hansel doesn't learn, Hans will never learn'.
Separately derived, Hans is also a male given name meaning 'swan' in Sanskrit families of the Indian subcontinent.

Alternative forms

Other variants include: Han, Hawns, Hanns, Hannes, Hanse, Hansi, Hansie, Hansele, Hansal, Hensal, Hanserl, Hännschen, Hennes, Hännes, Hänneschen, Henning, Henner, Honsa, Johan, Johann, Jan, Jannes, Jo, Joha, Hanselmann, Hansje.
Pet, diminutive, alternative and other language forms are:
  • Hannes
  • Honza
  • Hovhannes ; Յովհաննէս )
  • Jack
  • Johnny/Johnnie
  • John
  • יוֹחָנָן yokhanán, Yohanan or יְהוֹחָנָן yehokhanán, Yehohanan
  • Yohanna the Arabic language derivative, used among Arabic-speaking Christians
  • Yahya, used among Arab and non-Arab Muslims
  • Eoin
  • Evan, Ifan
  • Jevan
  • Giovanni, Gianni
  • Ġwanni, Ġwann, Ġanni
  • Jan
  • Ján
  • Janez, diminutives: Jan, Jani, Janko
  • János ; diminutives: Jancsi, Jani
  • Johan
  • Chuan
  • Joan
  • Jean
  • Jehan,, still in use, but rare
  • Yann
  • João
  • Hans
  • Xoan, Xan
  • Johannes
  • Johan, Johann
  • Jón
  • Jonas
  • Jovan
  • Juan
  • Juhani, Juha, Jukka
  • Ants Jānis Ansis
  • Ian
  • Ion
  • Ivan
  • Sean
  • Shane
  • Shaun
  • Shawn
  • Siôn
  • Yohani
  • Yohanes
  • Giuàn
Feminine forms are:
  • Hansina, Hansine
  • Hanna/Hannah/Hanne
  • Ioana
  • Jana
  • Jane
  • Joana
  • Jeanne
  • Joanne
  • Joan
  • Johanna
  • Johanne
  • Jean
  • Janice, Janet, both shortened as "Jan"
  • Non-English variants adopted as English names include Jeanette
  • Seònaid, Sinéad, Seònag

People named Hans

Arts and entertainment

Authors

Music

Painters and sculptors

Other arts and entertainment

Medicine

Military and paramilitary

Politics

Science

Sports

Other fields

Fictional characters