Janet Girl

Popularity: #887 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JAN-it //ˈdʒænɪt//

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: Hebrew: God is gracious; English: diminutive of Jane

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Janet is of Hebrew origin, derived from the name Yochanah, which means "God is gracious." This name was adapted into Greek as Ioanna and subsequently into Latin as Joanna. The transition into Old French occurred in the medieval period, where it became Jehanne, before evolving into Janet in Middle English.

The name was introduced into English-speaking contexts during the 16th century, often as a diminutive form of Jane, which itself is a feminine variant of John, further emphasizing its roots in the concept of divine grace. Historically, the name Janet has been borne by various notable figures, including saints and queens.

One of the earliest references can be traced to Saint Joanna, a follower of Jesus mentioned in the New Testament, who is often celebrated for her role in early Christianity. The name gained further prominence in Scotland during the Middle Ages, where it was used among the nobility, including figures such as Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis, in the 15th century.

The name's presence in literature and historical texts has contributed to its enduring legacy, particularly in the context of Scottish history. Culturally, Janet has been associated with themes of grace and favor, resonating with its etymological roots.

The name has appeared in various literary works, including Robert Burns' poetry, where it symbolizes innocence and virtue. Additionally, the name has been used in folk traditions and songs, reinforcing its connection to cultural identity.

The diminutive form Janie has also been noted in historical contexts, further illustrating the name's adaptability and enduring appeal across generations.

Famous people named Janet

In this section, you will find notable people named Janet. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Janet who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Janet who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Janet Jackson is a singer and actress best known for Control, Rhythm Nation, and Janet.

Fictional characters named Janet

The following list of fictional characters named Janet is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Janet is a fictional character from the TV series The Good Place. She is a highly knowledgeable and helpful guide in the afterlife, assisting the main characters with her vast information.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Janet, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

JamesJessicaJaredJuliaJordanJasmine

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Janet. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

JeanetteJoanJanelleJanineJasmineJadeJoyceJanis

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Janet was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Janet has ranked as high as #44 nationally, which occurred in 1954, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Janet has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Janet is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Janet was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Janet.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 61 0 61
2024 74 0 74
2023 97 0 97
2022 104 0 104
2021 92 0 92
2020 93 0 93
2019 123 0 123
2018 159 0 159
2017 171 0 171
2016 162 0 162
2015 155 0 155
2014 168 0 168
2013 189 0 189
2012 212 0 212
2011 269 0 269
2010 298 0 298
2009 353 0 353
2008 415 0 415
2007 449 0 449
2006 523 0 523
2005 512 0 512
2004 672 0 672
2003 565 0 565
2002 630 0 630
2001 696 0 696
2000 686 0 686
1999 646 0 646
1998 759 0 759
1997 757 0 757
1996 827 0 827
1995 934 6 928
1994 1,016 9 1,007
1993 1,068 0 1,068
1992 1,205 8 1,197
1991 1,201 15 1,186
1990 1,294 9 1,285
1989 1,231 21 1,210
1988 1,192 13 1,179
1987 1,331 18 1,313
1986 1,259 23 1,236
1985 1,257 15 1,242
1984 1,274 8 1,266
1983 1,410 12 1,398
1982 1,513 14 1,499
1981 1,582 14 1,568
1980 1,622 13 1,609
1979 1,755 7 1,748
1978 1,740 10 1,730
1977 1,953 8 1,945
1976 1,889 10 1,879
1975 1,956 6 1,950
1974 2,186 11 2,175
1973 2,533 12 2,521
1972 2,963 9 2,954
1971 3,409 15 3,394
1970 4,168 10 4,158
1969 4,407 27 4,380
1968 4,851 13 4,838
1967 5,672 15 5,657
1966 6,454 20 6,434
1965 7,677 23 7,654
1964 9,274 25 9,249
1963 10,694 27 10,667
1962 12,286 30 12,256
1961 13,959 29 13,930
1960 14,275 25 14,250
1959 14,993 29 14,964
1958 14,848 32 14,816
1957 15,788 35 15,753
1956 16,795 37 16,758
1955 17,948 28 17,920
1954 18,507 30 18,477
1953 17,805 34 17,771
1952 17,950 29 17,921
1951 16,972 25 16,947
1950 16,223 30 16,193
1949 14,887 27 14,860
1948 14,002 25 13,977
1947 15,266 30 15,236
1946 14,172 30 14,142
1945 12,362 36 12,326
1944 12,628 36 12,592
1943 13,362 46 13,316
1942 13,104 39 13,065
1941 11,166 30 11,136
1940 10,144 39 10,105
1939 10,150 30 10,120
1938 9,902 32 9,870
1937 9,405 42 9,363
1936 8,115 35 8,080
1935 7,886 30 7,856
1934 8,097 26 8,071
1933 7,365 23 7,342
1932 5,815 29 5,786
1931 4,970 22 4,948
1930 4,613 11 4,602
1929 3,060 10 3,050
1928 2,791 9 2,782
1927 2,553 7 2,546
1926 2,475 6 2,469
1925 2,438 10 2,428
1924 2,298 5 2,293
1923 2,221 0 2,221
1922 2,004 0 2,004
1921 2,123 0 2,123
1920 2,057 0 2,057
1919 1,870 6 1,864
1918 1,812 0 1,812
1917 1,590 5 1,585
1916 1,449 0 1,449
1915 1,173 0 1,173
1914 883 0 883
1913 712 0 712
1912 553 0 553
1911 386 0 386
1910 296 0 296
1909 242 0 242
1908 231 0 231
1907 197 0 197
1906 139 0 139
1905 154 0 154
1904 128 0 128
1903 119 0 119
1902 115 0 115
1901 108 0 108
1900 108 0 108
1899 80 0 80
1898 122 0 122
1897 103 0 103
1896 102 0 102
1895 92 0 92
1894 89 0 89
1893 72 0 72
1892 78 0 78
1891 84 0 84
1890 76 0 76
1889 57 0 57
1888 68 0 68
1887 58 0 58
1886 56 0 56
1885 46 0 46
1884 40 0 40
1883 44 0 44
1882 35 0 35
1881 29 0 29
1880 28 0 28

Top States for Janet (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 16
44%
TX 8
22%
NY 7
19%
IL 5
14%