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), but is now also recognized as a name in its own right for official purposes. The earliest documented usage was in 1356 in Sweden, 1360 in Norway, and the 14th century in Denmark. The name Hansel is a diminutive, meaning "little Hans". Another diminutive with the same meaning is Hänschen, 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". Separately derived, Hans is also a male given name meaning "swan" in the Sanskrit language families of the Indian subcontinent.

Alternative forms

Other variants include: Han, Hawns, Hanns, Hannes, Hanse, Hansi (also female), Hansie, Hansele, Hansal, Hensal, Hanserl, Hännschen, Hennes, Hännes, Hänneschen, Henning, Henner, Honsa, Johan, Johann, Jan, Jannes, Jo, Joha, Hanselmann, Hansje. Pet, diminutive, alternative and other language forms are: Feminine forms are:

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