Declining since 2009, #5,208 for boys today.
Popularity of Jens since 1884
Babies named Jens per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1966, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Jens's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 21 |
| 1890s | 26 |
| 1900s | 12 |
| 1910s | 142 |
| 1920s | 145 |
| 1930s | 98 |
| 1940s | 114 |
| 1950s | 160 |
| 1960s | 234 |
| 1970s | 265 |
| 1980s | 319 |
| 1990s | 305 |
| 2000s | 257 |
| 2010s | 232 |
| 2020s | 126 |
Meaning & origin
Jens, the Scandinavian short form of Johannes, has a long history of use in Northern Europe but has never been common in the United States. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1884, the same year it recorded its peak rank. Since 2009, however, its usage has been declining, reflecting a broader shift away from traditional Scandinavian names. In 2025, it ranked 5208, with just 1 in 94893 boys receiving the name. Jens is most commonly found in Danish and Norwegian communities, though its top states distribution is minimal. It remains a classic choice for families honoring Nordic heritage, but its rarity in the U.S. makes it a distinctive option.
Jens is a Scandinavian, German, and Dutch short form of Johannes, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning 'Yahweh is gracious'. It has been used in Denmark and Norway since the Middle Ages and later spread to Germany and the Netherlands. In Denmark, Jens has been one of the most common given names, frequently appearing as a patronymic element.
Sibling names for Jens
Names that share Jens's style, for a brother or sister.
