Hans (name)

Hans
PronunciationUS: /hɑːnz/ HAHNZ, UK: /hænz/ HANZ
Danish: [hænˀs]
German: [hans] ⓘ
Dutch: [ɦɑns] ⓘ
GenderMale
Name dayOctober 25 (Germany)
August 29 (Sweden)
June 24th (Norway, Estonia, Denmark)
December 27 (Finland)
Origin
Word/namePet form of Johannes
Meaning"God has been gracious"[1]
Region of originGerman, Dutch, Scandinavian
Other names
Pet form(s)Hampus
Related namesHanni, Hanno, Hánno, Hannu, Hánsa, Hansi, Hanski, Hanssi, Hanse, Hansu, Hensar, Hampe, Hanseraq, Hansinnguaq, Hasse

Hans is a Germanic male given name in Afrikaans, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Faroese, German, Norwegian, Icelandic and Swedish-speaking populations. It was originally short for Johannes (John),[2] but is now also recognized as a name in its own right for official purposes. The earliest documented usage was in 1356 in Sweden,[3] 1360 in Norway,[4] and the 14th century in Denmark.[5]

The name Hansel (German: Hänsel, IPA: [ˈhɛnzl̩] ⓘ) is a diminutive, meaning "little Hans". Another diminutive with the same meaning is Hänschen (IPA: [ˈhɛnsçn̩] ⓘ), 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".[citation needed]

Separately derived, Hans is also a male given name meaning "swan" in the Sanskrit language families of the Indian subcontinent.

  1. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "John" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  2. ^ Dahl, Árni (2005). Navnabókin. ISBN 9789991849393.[page needed]
  3. ^ Otterbjörk, Roland (1979). Svenska förnamn. ISBN 9789121109373.[page needed]
  4. ^ Stemshaug, Ola; Kruken, Kristoffer (1995). Norsk Personnamnleksikon. ISBN 978-8252120363.[page needed]
  5. ^ Meldgaard, Eva Villarsen (2004). Den store navnebog. ISBN 9788711160435.[page needed]