Girl · 22nd of 12,526
Janet
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
558,224
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1954
Peak Popularity Year
18,507
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Janet stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Janet originates from Hebrew and means 'God is gracious'. It evolved through several historical forms, starting from Yochanan to its modern form. Janet is often associated with traits of grace and kindness. There is no direct biblical relevance. The name gained popularity in the 16th century and continues to be recognized today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒænɪt/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Janet is a diminutive form of Jane, which itself is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious'.
Meaning
God is gracious
Language Evolution
Yochanan, Iohannes, Johannes, Jane, Janet
Historical Usage
Janet gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 16th century, particularly in Scotland, and has remained a common name since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Jane, Janie, Jan, Janice
Modern Popularity & Image
Janet is often perceived as a classic and timeless name, associated with grace and femininity. It has a moderate level of popularity in contemporary society.
Famous People
Janet Jackson, Janet Reno, Janet Leigh, Janet Yellen
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 18,507 peak births in 1954
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Iowa
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4708th of 7545 | 39 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1282nd of 6773 | 525 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1441st of 7552 | 557 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2757th of 10718 | 209 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4251st of 16616 | 185 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 141st of 9107 | 30,286 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 25th of 9204 | 154,410 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 22nd of 12526 | 286,084 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 105th of 19264 | 55,027 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 232nd of 27321 | 19,409 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 554th of 35406 | 8,442 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1652nd of 30306 | 1,584 |