Jean

The name Jean is a French form of the Hebrew name Johanan, which is made up of the elements "yo" meaning "Jehovah" and "hanan" meaning "he was gracious." It has been a popular name in France and other French-speaking regions for centuries.

The name Jean has been used as a masculine name in France since the Middle Ages. It was also commonly used as a feminine name in the past, but that usage has largely fallen out of favor in modern times.

In English-speaking countries, Jean is primarily used as a masculine name, though it can also be used as a feminine name, particularly as a variation of the name Jane.

The name Jean has been borne by many notable historical figures, including the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the French explorer Jean Ribault, who was among the first Europeans to establish a settlement in what is now the United States.