Jahan

♀ Girl

Pronounced juh-HAHN /dʒəˈhɑːn/Medium

Meaning: From Persian jahan, 'the world.' It is a long-established element in Persian and Mughal naming, seen in Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal, and Nur Jahan, 'light of the world,' the empress consort of Jahangir. In Persian use Jahan alone is usually a man's name, which we flag.Medium

In 30 seconds: A world-sized name: Jahan is Persian for 'the world' (said 'juh-HAHN'). Usually a boy's name in Persian use.

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Origin MediumPersian

MeaningFrom Persian jahan, 'the world.' It is a long-established element in Persian and Mughal naming, seen in Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal, and Nur Jahan, 'light of the world,' the empress consort of Jahangir. In Persian use Jahan alone is usually a man's name, which we flag.

U.S. rank (2021)#12724 ↗ Rising

2021 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 38

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Jahan comes straight from Persian jahan, 'the world.' The word runs through Persian poetry and through Mughal history: Shah Jahan, whose name reads 'king of the world,' commissioned the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and Nur Jahan, 'light of the world,' was one of the most powerful figures of the Mughal court. Used alone in Persian, Jahan is usually a man's name, and we flag that lean honestly (said 'juh-HAHN').

In the U.S. it appears for girls only in very small numbers. Rare here, deeply established in Persian naming.

Did you know? Shah Jahan - 'king of the world' - built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife, and his mother-in-law's title Nur Jahan meant 'light of the world.' Jahan itself is simply the Persian word for the world.

Overall data confidence 60%

References - Jahan — Persian jahan 'the world'; Shah Jahan, Nur Jahan; predominantly male in Persian use

Variations

JehanJahaanJahanara

Nicknames

JahHana

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Jahan…

Roshan— a like Persian light name

Zara— a like Persian-Arabic girls' pick

Noor— the 'light' of Nur Jahan

Jihan— shares the -an ending

Jian— a fellow Persian choice

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jahan mean?

Jahan is Persian for 'the world,' known from Shah Jahan and Nur Jahan; in Persian use it is usually a boy's name.

How do you pronounce Jahan?

It's said juh-HAHN /dʒəˈhɑːn/ - two syllables, stress on the last.

Is Jahan a boy or girl name?

Here Jahan is used as a girl's name, but in Persian use it is usually a boy's name - we note the lean plainly.

How popular is Jahan?

Jahan is extremely rare in the U.S.