Hans is a German male given name of Hebrew origin. It means "grace" or "favor". The name is derived from the Hebrew word "chanan", which means "to be gracious".
The name Hans has a long history in Germany and other parts of Europe. It was particularly popular during the Middle Ages, with many variations of the name appearing in historical records. Some of these variants include Johannes, Johann, and Hansel.
Today, Hans is still a common name in German-speaking countries. It is also used in other parts of Europe and even beyond, as a result of German immigration and cultural influence. Despite its age, the name remains appealing due to its classic sound and positive meaning.
The name Hans has been a popular choice among parents in the United States over the past century and a half. According to the statistics provided, the number of babies named Hans varied significantly throughout this period.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Hans was given to between 14 and 33 babies each year. The highest point in this period was reached in 1915 with 98 births. However, the number of newborns named Hans began to decline steadily from the late 1930s onwards.
The lowest point for the name Hans occurred in 2002 when only 98 babies were given this name. Despite this low point, the name Hans remained relatively stable throughout most of the mid-20th century, with an average of around 60 to 150 births per year.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the name Hans. Since 2014, the number of babies named Hans has consistently been above 100 each year, reaching a peak of 137 births in 2021. This shows that while the name Hans may not have been as popular during certain periods, it remains a classic choice for parents looking for a strong and distinctive name for their child.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that the name Hans has had its ups and downs in popularity over time but continues to be chosen by parents today.