Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Janis is a name with Hebrew origins meaning 'God is gracious.' It evolved from Yochanan through Latin and English forms. The name is often associated with artistic individuals and gained popularity in the 20th century. There is no direct biblical relevance. Variants include Janice and Jan.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒænɪs/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Janis is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, which means 'God is gracious.' It is often considered a variant of the name Janice.
Meaning
God is gracious
Language Evolution
Yochanan (Hebrew), Johannes (Latin), John (English), Janis (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Janis became popular in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, especially after the rise of famous figures with the name.
Variants & Derivatives
Janice, Jan, Yana
Modern Popularity & Image
Janis is often associated with artistic and musical traits, largely due to notable figures such as Janis Joplin. It has a modern, vibrant appeal.
Famous People
Janis Joplin, Janis Ian, Janis Karpinski
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,217 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 50 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 (9 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 9 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4298th of 6773 | 44 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3618th of 7552 | 93 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7574th of 10718 | 21 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 19426th of 23106 | 11 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 813th of 9107 | 1,449 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 280th of 9204 | 9,454 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 194th of 12526 | 32,470 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 693rd of 19264 | 3,623 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1950th of 27321 | 1,043 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3969th of 35406 | 565 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 6409th of 30306 | 226 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
35.66% 505th/1416 |
49.02% 676th/1379 |
55.28% 1308th/2366 |
51.31% 586th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
12.94% 200th/1546 |
23.46% 365th/1556 |
14.19% 334th/2353 |
15.19% 235th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
7.90% 176th/2227 |
8.35% 203rd/2430 |
7.85% 224th/2853 |
6.67% 185th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
21.31% 626th/2937 |
18.43% 642nd/3483 |
22.71% 799th/3518 |
18.55% 750th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
54.27% 2000th/3685 |
45.77% 2048th/4475 |
40.74% 2116th/5194 |
31.31% 1978th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
73.80% 3811th/5164 |
55.03% 4024th/7313 |
34.83% 2599th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
75.29% 5136th/6822 |
58.24% 3655th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Iowa across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4298th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3618th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7574th out of 10718 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 24088th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 19426th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 813th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 280th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 194th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 693rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1950th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3969th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 6409th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.