Jeans are one of the most popular styles of pants around the world. The durable denim fabric, classic blue color, and comfortable fit have made them a wardrobe staple for over a century. But where did jeans get their name from and why are they called jeans?
The history of jeans
Jeans were first created in the city of Genoa, Italy. The durable cotton fabric used to make jeans originated in the French city of Nimes. This cotton fabric was called “serge de Nimes”, later shortened to denim. In Italian, the word for Genoa is Genova, and the denim fabric made in Genova was known as “blue jeans”.
Jeans as we know them today emerged in the 19th century American West. Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis began producing more modern jeans using metal rivets to strengthen points of strain like pocket corners. These mass-produced jeans were popular with American cowboys and miners due to their comfort and durability.
During the 1950s, jeans became fashionable as a rebellious choice among young people and teenagers. Denim brands like Levi’s and Wrangler marketed their jeans to this youth culture. Since then, jeans have become increasingly mainstream while retaining their iconic status in fashion.
Why are they called jeans?
There are two factors that led to jeans being named as such:
- The denim fabric was originally produced in Nimes, France. Serge de Nimes later became shortened to denim.
- This denim was used to make rugged pants in the Italian city of Genoa (Genes in Italian). These pants were known as blue jeans.
So the name “jeans” comes from a combination of the fabric name “denim” and the location “Genes/Genoa” where the first modern jeans were produced. The term became popularized worldwide thanks to American jeans manufacturers like Levi Strauss.
Other theories
There are some alternative theories about where “jeans” got its name from:
- From the French phrase “bleu de Genes” meaning the blue of Genoa, referring to the indigo dye used on the first jeans.
- A connection to the term “gin”, referring to cotton gin mills for making denim.
- From the name “Jean” after jeans inventor Levi Strauss’s first name.
However, most etymologists agree the “denim from Nimes, pants from Genes” theory is the most likely origin of the name jeans.
Conclusion
Jeans got their name from a combination of:
- Denim fabric – originally serge de Nimes from France
- Pants from Genoa, Italy – blue jeans
The durability of denim and the pants design from Genoa combined to make jeans a staple garment of the American West in the late 1800s. Jeans then became fashionable among rebellious youth culture in the 20th century. Today, they are a versatile garment worn regularly by people across the world.
So in summary, jeans are called jeans because:
| Denim fabric | Originally made in Nimes, France (de Nimes) |
| Pants | First made in Genoa, Italy (Genes) |
This combination led to the name “blue jeans” which was eventually shortened to just jeans. The durability and comfort made them popular in America before spreading worldwide as a fashion staple.
