Jānis is a Latvian masculine given name, the equivalent of the English

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

. The first written use of the name Jānis dates back to 1290. It may refer to: * Jānis Ādamsons (born 1956), Latvian politician *

Jānis Akuraters Jānis Akuraters (13 January 1876 – 25 July 1937) was a Latvian poet, writer, playwright and politician. He founded the Latvian National Theatre in 1919 and was director of Radio of Riga between 1930 and 1934. Biography Akuraters was born ...

(1876–1937), Latvian poet, writer, playwright and politician * Jānis Andersons (born 1986), Latvian ice hockey defenceman *

Jānis Balodis Jānis Balodis (20 February 1881 – 8 August 1965) was an army general, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Latvia (1919–1921), Minister of War (1931–1940), and a politician who was one of the principal figures during the Latvian War ...

(1881–1965), Latvian army general and politician *

Jānis Frīdrihs Baumanis Jānis Frīdrihs Baumanis (or ''Johann Friedrich Baumann'', May 23, 1834, Riga – March 19, 1891, Riga) was a Latvian, Baltic German architect. He was the first professional Latvian architect. Baumanis designed the Riga Circus in 1888. He was r ...

(1834–1891), Latvian architect *

Jānis Bebris Jānis Anatolijs Bebris (28 July 1917 – 2 May 1969) was a Latvian footballer and ice hockey player. He was the main goalkeeper of Latvia national football team in the closing years of the 1930s, and represented Latvia at the 1936 Winter Olympi ...

(1917–1969), Latvian footballer *

Jānis Beinarovičs Jānis Beinarovičs (June 5, 1907 – August 27, 1967) was a Latvian athlete who won the Latvian Master's title in Greco-Roman wrestling four times between the years 1935 to 1938. He joined the Second Riga Athletic Club (2 R.A.K.) at the age of 17 ...

(1907–1967), Latvian wrestler * Jānis Bērziņš (1889–1938), Latvian and Soviet communist military official and politician * Jānis Bērziņš (born 1993), Latvian basketball player *

Jānis Birks Jānis Birks (born 31 July 1956 in Riga Riga ( ) is the capital, Primate city, primate, and List of cities and towns in Latvia, largest city of Latvia. Home to 591,882 inhabitants (as of 2025), the city accounts for a third of Latvia's tota ...

(born 1956), Latvian politician *

Jānis Blūms Jānis Blūms (born 20 April 1982) is a Latvian former professional basketball player. Standing at , Blūms played point guard and shooting guard positions. He also served as captain of the Latvia national team. Professional career Blūms starte ...

(born 1982), Latvian professional basketball player *

Jānis Bojārs Jānis Bojārs (12 May 1956 – 5 June 2018) was a Latvian male shot putter, best known for winning the silver medal for the Soviet Union in the men's shot put event at the 1982 European Championships in Athens, Greece. He set his personal best ...

(1956–2018), Latvian shot putter *

Jānis Brikmanis Jānis Brikmanis (25 February 1940 – 18 April 2019) was a Latvian zoologist, environmental conservationist, radio and television presenter, and writer. Career Jānis Brikmanis studied at the department of biology at the Latvian State Universi ...

(1940–2019), Latvian zoologist, environmental conservationist, radio and television presenter, and writer *

Jānis Buivids Jānis Buivids (Janis Buivydas) (8 September 1864 – 2 April 1937) was a general in the Latvian Army. He participated in World War I and the Russian Civil War. Biography Buivids was born in Alkiškiai, in the Kovno Governorate of the Russian ...

(1864–1937), Latvian military general *

Jānis Bulis Jānis Bulis (born 17 August 1950 in Briģi Parish, Ludza Municipality) is a Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Rēzekne-Aglona in Latvia. Biography Jānis Bulis was born on 17 August 1950 in Briģi Parish, Ludza Municipality, Latvia. After his ...

(born 1950), Latvian Roman Catholic bishop *

Jānis Čakste Jānis Kristaps Čakste (; 14 September 1859 – 14 March 1927) was a Latvian politician and lawyer who served as the first head of an independent Latvian state as the Chairman of the Tautas Padome, People's Council (1918–1920), the Speaker o ...

(1859–1927), Latvian politician and lawyer, former President of Latvia *

Jānis Cimze Jānis Cimze (3 July/21 June 1814 — 22 October/10 October 1881) was a Latvian pedagogue, collector and harmoniser of folk songs, organist, founder of Latvian choral music and initiator of professional Latvian music. He is buried at the Lugaž ...

(1814–1881), Latvian pedagogue, collector and harmoniser of folk songs and organist *

Jānis Čoke Jānis Čoke (24 September 1878 in Idus parish (now Valmiera Municipality), Kreis Wolmar, Governorate of Livonia – 9 June 1910 in Turku, Grand Duchy of Finland) was a Latvian revolutionary who is known for his involvement in the 1906 Helsinki ba ...

(1878–1910), Latvian revolutionary and bank robber *

Jānis Daliņš Jānis Daliņš (5 November 1904 – 11 June 1978) was a Latvian race walker. Competing in the 50 km event he won a silver medal at the 1932 Olympics, becoming the first athlete to win an Olympic medal competing for Latvia. He also won the 193 ...

(1904–1978), Latvian race walker and Olympic medalist *

Jānis Dimza Jānis Dimza (1 November 1906, Ipiķi parish – 1942) was a Latvian decathlete. He placed fourth at the European Championships in 1934, and challenged for medals at the Olympic Games in 1932 until he injured himself in the pole vault. Care ...

(1906–c.1942), decathlete and Olympic competitor *

Jānis Doniņš Jānis Doniņš (born 20 April 1946) is a Latvian- American former javelin thrower. Competing for the Soviet Union, he won the silver medal at the 1971 European Athletics Championships behind Jānis Lūsis. Career Doniņš placed sixth i ...

(born 1946), Latvian javelin thrower *

Jānis Dreimanis Jānis Dreimanis (born 13 October 1949, Riga) is a Latvian former football defender. In his career, he played 115 matches for Daugava Rīga, scoring four goals. Playing career Dreimanis' first steps in football were made with Darba Rezerve ...

(born 1949), Latvian football manager football defender *

Jānis Dūklavs Jānis Dūklavs (born 24 November 1952) is a Latvian politician from the Union of Greens and Farmers political alliance. Dūklavs was Minister of Agriculture of Latvia from 2009 to 2011 and again from 2014 to 2019. Dūklavs came into disrepute ...

(born 1952), Latvian politician *

Jānis Dukšinskis Jānis Dukšinskis (born 8 June 1963, Daugavpils) is a Latvian politician. He is a member of the LPP/LC and a Deputies of the Saeima, deputy of the 9th Saeima (Latvian Parliament). He began his current term in parliament on November 7, 2006. He ...

(born 1963), Latvian politician *

Jānis Eglītis Jānis Eglītis (January 23, 1961 – May 6, 2013) was a Latvian politician and a Deputy of the 9th Saeima The Saeima () is the parliament of the Latvia, Republic of Latvia. It is a unicameral parliament consisting of 100 members who are elect ...

(born 1961), Latvian politician * Jānis Endzelīns (1873–1961), Latvian linguist * Jānis Francis (1877–1956), Latvian army general * Jānis Gailītis (born 1985), Latvian basketball player and coach * Jānis Gilis (1943–2000), Latvian football manager * Jānis Ikaunieks (1912–1969), Latvian astronomer * Jānis Ikaunieks (born 1995), Latvian footballer * Jānis Ilsters (1851–1889), Latvian botanist, teacher and folklore collector * Jānis Ivanovs (1906–1983), Latvian classical music composer *

Jānis Jaks Jānis Jaks (born 22 August 1995) is a Latvian professional ice hockey defenceman for HC Energie Karlovy Vary of the Czech Extraliga. Playing career Collegiate Jaks joined American International for the 2016–17 campaign and quickly became a ...

(born 1995), Latvian ice hockey player *

Jānis Jansons Jānis Jansons (born 28 December 1982, in Talsi) is a Latvian people, Latvian floorball player who is currently playing for Pixbo Wallenstam IBK in the Swedish Super League (men's floorball), SSL. National team Jansons has played 21 games for the ...

(born 1982), Latvian floorball player *

Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš (25 August 1877 in Nereta – 25 August 1962 in Körbecke) was a Latvian writer and painter and one of the most popular authors of the first Republic of Latvia between the two world wars. Biography Between 1886–1892 h ...

(1877—1962), Latvian writer and painter * Jānis Joņevs (born 1980), Latvian writer * Jānis Judiņš (1884–1918), Latvian Riflemen commander and Red hero of the Russian Civil War * Jānis Jurkāns (born 1946), Latvian politician * Jānis Kalējs (born 1965), Latvian film director *

Jānis Kalmīte Jānis Kalmīte (2 March 1907, Kauguri parish (now Valmiera Municipality) - 3 July 1996, USA) was a Latvian expressionist painter and among the best-known artists in the Latvian post-World War II diaspora community. His name is associated with ...

(1907–1996), Latvian expressionist painter * Jānis Kalniņš (1904–2000), Latvian and Canadian composer * Jānis Karlivāns (born 1982), Latvian decathlete and Olympic competitor * Jānis Kaufmanis (born 1989), Latvian basketball player *

Jānis Ķipurs Jānis Ķipurs (sometimes shown as Yanis Kipurs or Janis Kipurs, born 3 January 1958 in Kurmene, Kurmene parish) is a Latvian bobsledder who competed for the Soviet Union in the late 1980s. At the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, he wo ...

(born 1958), Latvian bobsledder and Olympic medalist *

Jānis Klovāns Jānis Klovāns (April 9, 1935 – October 5, 2010) was a Latvian chess player who held the FIDE title of Grandmaster (chess), Grandmaster and the ICCF title of Correspondence Chess Grandmaster. He was a career Officer (armed forces), officer in ...

(1935–2010), Latvian chess Grandmaster *

Jānis Krūmiņš Jānis Krūmiņš (30 January 1930 – 20 November 1994) was a Soviet-Latvian professional basketball player. Helped by his height (about 220 cm, or 7'3"), he was the first giant center that dominated under European baskets, for years. As ...

(1930–1994), Latvian basketball player * Jānis Lagzdiņš (born 1952), Latvian politician * Jānis Leitis (born 1989), Latvian long jumper *

Jānis Lidmanis Jānis Lidmanis (18 January 1910 – 29 November 1986) was a Latvian footballer and basketballer. Career In the 1930s he was the captain of Latvia national football team for which he made 55 appearances (second result in the pre-war Latvian tea ...

(1910–1986), Latvian footballer and basketballer * Jānis Liepiņš (1894–1964), Latvian painter * Jānis Liepiņš (born 1988), Latvian conductor *

Jānis Lipke Jānis Lipke (also Žanis and Jan Lipke; 1 February 1900, Mitau – 14 May 1987, Riga) was a Latvians, Latvian rescuer of Jews in Latvia, Jews in Riga in World War II from the Holocaust in Latvia. Lipke, a dock worker in the port of Riga, was det ...

(1900–1987), Latvian rescuer of Jews during World War II * Jānis Līvens (1884–????), was a Latvian cyclist and Olympic competitor * Jānis Lūsis (1939–2020), Latvian javelin thrower and Olympic medalist * Jānis Matulis (1911–1985), Latvian prelate of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia and Archbishop of Riga * Jānis Medenis (1903–1961), Latvian poet and writer *

Jānis Mediņš Jānis Mediņš (October 9, 1890 – March 4, 1966) was a Latvian composer. Life He was born in Riga. He was a vital force in musical life during the short-lived first independent Latvian republic (1918—40). He almost singlehandly established ...

(1890–1966), Latvian composer * Jānis Miglavs (born 1948), Latvian-born American photographer and writer *

Jānis Miņins Jānis Miņins (born 15 August 1980 in Kuldīga) is a Latvian bobsledder who has competed since 1999. He won a bronze medal in the four-man event at the FIBT World Championships 2009 in Lake Placid, New York, earning the country its first champi ...

(born 1980), Latvian bobsledder * Jānis Paipals (born 1983), Latvian cross-country skier and Olympic competitor * Jānis Paukštello (born 1951), Latvian stage and film actor *

Jānis Pauļuks Jānis Pauļuks (24 November 1865 – 21 June 1937) was a Latvian politician and public figure. He held the office as Prime Minister of Latvia from 27 January to 27 June 1923. Personal life Pauļuks was born on a farm in Lielsesava Parish (no ...

(1865–1937), Latvian politician, former Prime Minister of Latvia * Jānis Pētersons (born 1995), Latvian singer ( Citi Zēni) *

Jānis Pīnups Jānis Pīnups (; 10 May 1925 – 15 June 2007) was the last of the Forest Brothers to come out of hiding, in 1995, at the age of 70.Grīnberga, M. (1997)Pēdējo mežabrāļu atgriešanās ''Diena''. Biography He had been conscripted into th ...

(1925–2007), Latvian partisan * Jānis Pliekšāns (aka Rainis) (1865–1929), Latvian poet, playwright, translator, and politician *

Jānis Podžus Jānis Podžus (born 29 June 1994) is a Latvian tennis player. Podžus has a career high Association of Tennis Professionals, ATP singles ranking of 675 achieved on 2 March 2015. He also has a career high ATP doubles ranking of 634 achieved on 1 ...

(born 1994), Latvian tennis player * Jānis Polis (1938–2011), Latvian pharmacologist *

Jānis Porziņģis Jānis Porziņģis (born 13 July 1982) is a Latvian former professional basketball player. At a height of , he played at the small forward position. He is the older brother of Boston Celtics forward Kristaps Porziņģis. Professional playing care ...

(born 1982), Latvian basketball player * Jānis Pujats (born 1930), Latvian Roman Catholic archbishop emeritus of Riga * Jānis Reinis (born 1960), Latvian stage and film actor * Jānis Rinkus (born 1977), Latvian footballer *

Janis Rozentāls Janis Rozentāls (March 18, 1866 – December 26, 1916) was a Latvian people, Latvian painter. Life Rozentāls was born in Bebri Farmstead, Saldus parish, Courland Governorate in the Russian Empire. He was the son of a blacksmith. He recei ...

(1866–1916), Latvian painter * Jānis Rozītis (1913–1942), Latvian football forward * Jānis Rudzītis (1903–1967), Latvian wrestler and Olympic competitor *

Jānis Rudzutaks Jānis Rudzutaks (; – 29 July 1938) was a Latvian Bolshevik revolutionary and a Soviet politician. He was executed during the Great Purge. Early life Rudzutaks was born in the Kuldīga district of the Courland Governorate (present-day Kur ...

(1887–1938), Latvian Bolshevik revolutionary and Soviet politician * Janis Skroderis (born 1983), Latvian professional tennis player *

Jānis Šmēdiņš Jānis Šmēdiņš (born 31 July 1987) is a Latvian beach volleyball Beach volleyball is a team sport played by two teams of two to four players each on a sand court divided by a net. Similar to indoor volleyball, the objective of the game i ...

(born 1987), Latvian beach volleyball player and Olympic competitor * Jānis Šmits (born 1968), Latvian politician *

Jānis Sprukts Jānis Sprukts (born January 31, 1982) is a retired Latvian professional ice hockey forward. Biography As a youth, Sprukts played in the 1996 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a team from Riga. He was drafted by Panthers as th ...

(born 1982), Latvian professional ice hockey forward * Jānis Straume (born 1962), Latvian politician * Jānis Straupe (born 1989), Latvian ice hockey player *

Jānis Streičs Jānis Streičs (born 26 September 1936) is a Soviet/Latvian film director. Streičs' 1991 comedy film ''The Child of Man'' was runner-up for the Chicago International Children's Film Festival Rights of the Child Award in 1994. It had previously b ...

(born 1936), Latvian film director * Jānis Strēlnieks (born 1989), Latvian basketball player *

Jānis Strenga Janis Strenga (born 5 February 1986) is a former Latvian bobsledder, brakeman who has competed since 2008. Career He won a gold medal in the four-man event at the FIBT World Championships 2016 in Igls, Austria (with pilot Oskars Melbārdis, Da ...

(born 1986), Latvian bobsledder *

Jānis Strupulis Jānis Strupulis (monogram ''JS'', born 28 January 1949) is a Latvian sculptor and graphical designer, who designed some of the modern Latvian lats#Coins 2, Latvian coins with denominations in Latvian lats. Life Strupulis was born 28 January 1 ...

(born 1949), Latvian sculptor and graphic designer *

Jānis Sudrabkalns Jānis Sudrabkalns (May 17, 1894 – September 4, 1975), born Arvīds Peine, was a Latvian poet and writer. Biography Born in to the family of an innkeeper and tracher, the family moved to Jaunpiebalga when he was a child. After the death of ...

(1894–1975), Latvian poet and writer * Jānis Tilbergs (1880–1972), Latvian painter and a sculptor *

Jānis Timma Jānis Timma (2 July 1992 – 17 December 2024) was a Latvian professional basketball player. Standing at , he mainly played at the small forward position. He also represented the senior Latvia men's national basketball team, Latvia national team ...

(1992–2024), Latvian basketball player * Jānis Tutins (born 1966), Latvian politician *

Jānis Urbanovičs Jānis Urbanovičs (born 23 March 1959) is a Latvian politician and author. He has been a member of the Saeima since 1994. From 2005–2010 Urbanovičs was chairman of the National Harmony Party and from 2010–2014 and again since 2019 the chai ...

(born 1959), Latvian politician * Jānis Vanags (born 1958), archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia * Jānis Vilsons (1944–2018), Latvian handball player and Olympic competitor * Jānis Vinters (born 1971), Latvian rally racing motorcycle rider *

Jānis Vītols Jānis Alfrēds Vītols (31 January 1911 – 1993) was a Latvian cyclist. He competed in the individual and team road race events at the 1936 Summer Olympics The 1936 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XI Olympiad () and ...

(1911–1993), Latvian cyclist and Olympic competitor *

Jānis Vucāns Jānis Vucāns (born 9 February 1956) is a Latvian politician and mathematician. He is the member of the '' Latvijai un Ventspilij'' Party and a deputy of the 11th, 12th and 13th Saeima, representing the Union of Greens and Farmers. He began his ...

(born 1956), Latvian politician and mathematician

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Janis (name) Latvian masculine given names Masculine given names

See also

References