Žanis Ansons (4 December 1911 – 24 November 1968) was a Latvian member of Waffen-SS, Germany's World War II fighting unit of the Schutzstaffel (Protective Squadron). He rose to the rank of Hauptscharführer and was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, an award given in recognition of extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. At the conclusion of the war, he was taken prisoner by the Red Army.