Boy · Hebrew (Scandinavian and Dutch form of John) · Christian
Johan
JohanSay it YOH-hahn (often JOH-han in India)
- Meaning today
- God is gracious
- Original meaning
- "a form of John: Jehovah-favoured" Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, G2491 (from H3110, H3076)
- Say it
- YOH-hahn (often JOH-han in India)
- Other spellings
- Johann
Johan
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Johan meaning
Johan is a Christian boy's name of Hebrew origin (Scandinavian and Dutch form of John).
A form of John: Jehovah-favoured
Also used to mean: God is gracious
Johan is the Scandinavian and Dutch form of John, shortened from Latin Johannes; German Johann is the same name. The Online Etymology Dictionary lists these among the many European descendants of Johannes, which renders Greek Iōannēs and the Hebrew Yehochanan. Strong's Concordance (H3076) explains the Hebrew as "Jehovah-favoured", from the divine name and chanan, "to show favour", the source of the familiar gloss "God is gracious". The Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff made it famous worldwide. It is used by Christian families in Kerala and elsewhere in India.
Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary, G2491 (from H3110, H3076) · entry Yehowchanan · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Online Etymology Dictionary, John · Strong's H3076, Yehochanan (Bible Hub)
Famous namesakes
- Johan Cruyff, Dutch footballer
Popularity abroad
- #572 United States, boys 2025 (down 35 from 537 in 2024)
US Social Security Administration
Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.
Spellings
Johan · Johann