Janson
A boy's name of Scandinavian origin with 1,153 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname originating as a patronymic.
Janson is a boy's baby name of Scandinavian origin, a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Jan' — Jan being the Scandinavian and Dutch form of John, meaning 'God is gracious.' Like Jackson and Johnson, Janson began as a family name before crossing into first-name territory.
Janson offers a sleeker alternative to Jason while nodding to Scandinavian heritage. Its surname feel gives it a modern, strong quality increasingly popular with parents who want something that sounds established but not overly common.
EtymologyShow more
Janson first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1958. Arriving in the 1950s, Janson appeared during a period when American naming was beginning to diversify beyond the traditional Anglo-Saxon and biblical pools.
Its Scandinavian classification suggests a path from scandinavian linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Janson was #3688 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #4758, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 108 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 224 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 221 | — |
| 1990s | 242 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 199 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 136 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 18 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 5 | — |
The Story of Janson
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2016, Janson is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Janson are most likely born between 2006 and 2024.
How rare is Janson?
Only about 1 in every 171,429 babies born in 2024 was named Janson — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1958, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1990s with 242 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Janson by the numbers
- Would fill 24 school buses
- Meeting one Janson per day would take 3.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(59 years, 1958–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 21 | #4758 |
| 2023 | 24 | #4390 |
| 2022 | 25 | #4223 |
| 2021 | 16 | #5644 |
| 2020 | 22 | #4475 |
| 2019 | 30 | #3666 |
| 2018 | 26 | #4048 |
| 2017 | 26 | #4035 |
| 2016 | 35 | #3256 |
| 2015 | 17 | #5387 |
| 2014 | 12 | #6818 |
| 2013 | 18 | #5055 |
| 2012 | 25 | #4063 |
| 2011 | 18 | #5071 |
| 2010 | 17 | #5350 |
| 2009 | 27 | #3864 |
| 2008 | 25 | #4082 |
| 2007 | 15 | #5767 |
| 2006 | 16 | #5401 |
| 2005 | 25 | #3763 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1958–2024