What is Jan short for?
In old records, Jan is usually short for John. It can also stand for Janet, Jane, and Janice. You will find it in Dutch-immigrant and American records, chiefly 1600s-1900s. The Jan-to-John jump is easy to miss, so it is worth searching both when you hit a dead end.
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FAQs
Does Jan always mean John?+
Not always. Jan most often stands for John, but it also appears for Janet, Jane, and Janice. Confirm against the actual record before you rely on it.
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