JEAN  

Gender: F
Origin: English and Scottish, from French variation of JOHANNA
Meaning: "God is gracious"

Jean was popular in Scotland long before it found favor elsewhere, and had its most shining moment here in the era of Jean Harlow, ultimate symbol of silver screen glamour, but now, though there are many grandmas and even moms with the name, it doesn't seem very baby-friendly.

Variations:
Jennet, Jeanna, Gene, Jeanee, Jeanique, Jeanelle, Jenette, Jeannique, Jennetta, Jeaneen, Jeana, Jeannine, Jeanetta, Jeannette, Jeanine, Jeane, Jeanene, Jennine, Jeanette, Jeannie, Jeanneen, Jenica, Geni, Jeanie

International Variations:
Janne (Finnish) Jeanne (French) Sine, Sina (Irish Gaelic) Jana (Latvian) Jasia, Jonnanina, Jena, Janina, Janka, Janeska (Polish) Jennice (Scottish Gaelic) Ivana (Slavic)

Jean is being discussed in our message boards:

• big family game!
• nicknames
• help with a middle name
• new game buuild a family together
• Recent Welsh Babies

Read Nameberry blog posts about Jean:

• HEROINE NAMES: Worthy Women with Notable Names, Part 2: Cultural Icons
• HEY, JUDE: Names from the Beatles and beyond
• GLAMOUR GIRLS AND BOYS
• HELLO DOLLY: Names from the Doll World
• UNDERRATED NAMES, PART DEUX