# Hans

/ˈhænz/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hans
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a person's name

noun · CEFR A1

A common first name for men in countries like Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands.

For teachers: A Germanic male given name, originally a shortened form of Johannes. It is widely used across Central and Northern Europe.

- My friend Hans moved from Berlin to London to study art.
- Hans remains a quintessential German name, though its popularity among younger generations has fluctuated in recent decades.

## Examples

- My friend Hans lives in Berlin.
- The tour guide, a local man named Hans, showed us the historic architecture of the old town.
- While the name Hans was once ubiquitous across Central Europe, its popularity among younger generations has fluctuated as more international naming conventions have gained traction in urban centers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.