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Help[Opinions] Jan for a boy?
Do you think the name Jan is viable for a boy in English-speaking countries? I realize it's a form of John in certain countries, but I'm speaking strictly of English-speaking countries.
My sister's ex-husband was named Jan. The story I heard was that his parents were certain they were having a girl, and planning on naming her Janet, to honor a family member. When they had a boy instead, they just shortened it to Jan. I don't think that Jan's name ever bothered him. The only story I recall hearing regarding his name was that every year on the first day of school, he would find himself in a girls' gym class. That situation was quickly rectified once it became obvious he was a boy.
Do you think Jan is okay for a boy? Or would he face a lot of teasing?
Edited to add: It was pronounced with a J sound, just as in the first syllable of Janet.
My sister's ex-husband was named Jan. The story I heard was that his parents were certain they were having a girl, and planning on naming her Janet, to honor a family member. When they had a boy instead, they just shortened it to Jan. I don't think that Jan's name ever bothered him. The only story I recall hearing regarding his name was that every year on the first day of school, he would find himself in a girls' gym class. That situation was quickly rectified once it became obvious he was a boy.
Do you think Jan is okay for a boy? Or would he face a lot of teasing?
Edited to add: It was pronounced with a J sound, just as in the first syllable of Janet.
This message was edited 4/29/2008, 6:05 AM
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Replies
Why not. Jan is nice name :))
Nickname for Jan: Janko, Janek, Janik, Janis, Jenda.
Nickname for Jan: Janko, Janek, Janik, Janis, Jenda.
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you mean Jan pronounced 'YAHN'?
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The first thing I think of when I see this name is the Brady Bunch. Will male Jan be jealous of Marsha Marsha Marsha?
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Only pronounced Yahn, IMO.
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Ditto
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Ive seen it used on boys
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I think with a J sound it could be a little difficult to grow up with. I like it prn. YA-n.
:0)
:0)
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Hm... I think it's okay.
I'm living in Germany where the male name Jan is very common but I've just realized that pronouncing it the English way it sounds rather feminine. It makes me think of Janet or Janina or some ugly Janelle or what not at once. But I guess it is okay as a boys' name, esp. if you consider that everyone has got a different taste concerning the pronounciation. I myself find it a bit too feminine-sounding and I don't like the whole sound of it anyway (sounds like 'jam' or something). But it's not a complete no-go on a boy, imo.
It would be even uglier if used for a girl as her full fn, in my opinion. As a nn for Janet, it would be okay.
I'm living in Germany where the male name Jan is very common but I've just realized that pronouncing it the English way it sounds rather feminine. It makes me think of Janet or Janina or some ugly Janelle or what not at once. But I guess it is okay as a boys' name, esp. if you consider that everyone has got a different taste concerning the pronounciation. I myself find it a bit too feminine-sounding and I don't like the whole sound of it anyway (sounds like 'jam' or something). But it's not a complete no-go on a boy, imo.
It would be even uglier if used for a girl as her full fn, in my opinion. As a nn for Janet, it would be okay.
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I actually know two male Jan's. One of them is German, and pronounces his name Yahn, but the other pronounces it just like you're referring to (first syllable of Janet). Neither of them have had major problems with the name -- but
It's not my style, and not something I'd use just because it strikes me as feminine when pronounced like Janet, but I do kind of like the Yahn pronunciation. . . too bad it wouldn't work as easily here in the states without any foreign heritage.
It's not my style, and not something I'd use just because it strikes me as feminine when pronounced like Janet, but I do kind of like the Yahn pronunciation. . . too bad it wouldn't work as easily here in the states without any foreign heritage.
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I've met a couple of male Jan (though all of Eastern European descent) so it doesn't bother me. Actually, it does feel masculine enough.
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I think it can work. I know a Jan who lives in an English-speaking country and quite a lot of people call him Jan with a hard 'J', which he doesn't seem to mind. However, all it takes is one correction, as in the case of your sister's ex. I also like the Yann spelling, which would avoid pronunciation confusion.
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