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Janelle Girl

Popularity: #606 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationjah-NEL / /dʒəˈnɛl/

French; English

Meaning

French: God is gracious; English: a diminutive of Jane

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Janelle is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanah, which means "God is gracious." This name was adapted into Latin as Johanna and subsequently into Old French as Jehanne. The diminutive form Janelle likely emerged in the 20th century as a variation of the name Jane, which itself is a derivative of Johanna. The transition into English occurred through the influence of Norman French after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, when many French names were introduced into the English language.

Historically, the name Jane has been borne by several notable figures, including Jane Seymour, the third wife of King Henry VIII of England, who lived in the 16th century. The name also appears in various religious texts, with its roots tracing back to biblical figures, such as Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Apostle, both of whom have had significant influence in Christian tradition. The name Johanna is mentioned in the New Testament, where it refers to a woman who supported Jesus' ministry, thus enhancing its religious significance.

Culturally, names derived from the root Yochanah have been associated with themes of grace and favor, which have contributed to their enduring appeal across different cultures and eras. The name Janelle, while more modern, carries forward this legacy of gracefulness. Its phonetic structure and melodic quality have made it a favored choice among parents seeking a name that conveys both elegance and a connection to historical roots. The diminutive form Janie may also be noted as a related name that has been used affectionately in various contexts.

Trend Summary

Janelle has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the late 20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Janell
  • Janel
  • Jani

International Variants

  • Janelle (French)
  • Yanelle (Spanish)

Famous people named Janelle

Janelle Monáe is a singer, songwriter, and actress best known for The ArchAndroid, Dirty Computer, and Moonlight.

Janelle Brown is a reality television personality best known for Sister Wives.

Fictional characters named Janelle

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Janelle was first seen in the United States in 1912. Janelle has ranked as high as #342 nationally, which occurred in 1979, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Janelle has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Janelle (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 64
21%
TX 59
20%
NY 24
8%
FL 22
7%
GA 14
5%
IL 14
5%
NJ 11
4%
OH 10
3%
AZ 9
3%
MD 8
3%
NC 8
3%
WA 8
3%
IN 7
2%
OK 7
2%
MA 7
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19125
19138
19146
191514
191614
191710
191811
191916
192022
192116
192217
192325
192426
192520
192651
192739
192823
192941
193045
193152
193263
193369
193478
193591
1936111
1937110
1938122
1939116
1940102
194192
1942102
194398
1944129
1945138
1946131
1947189
1948256
1949262
1950275
1951240
1952310
1953331
1954376
1955419
1956368
1957409
1958407
1959393
1960442
1961431
1962451
1963441
1964560
1965472
1966473
1967522
1968568
1969665
1970607
1971641
1972586
1973609
1974634
1975733
1976760
19771,069
19781,384
19791,416
19801,395
19811,317
19821,245
19831,165
19841,220
19851,360
19861,220
19871,218
19881,247
19891,184
19901,106
19911,088
19921,071
1993980
1994867
1995779
1996687
1997654
1998647
1999609
2000591
2001588
2002585
2003606
2004526
2005571
2006824
2007817
2008884
2009781
2010813
2011813
2012739
2013777
2014713
2015680
2016667
2017628
2018527
2019549
2020427
2021447
2022434
2023417
2024362