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Janis Girl

Popularity: #939 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationJAN-iss / /ˈdʒænɪs/

English; Hebrew

Meaning

English: God is gracious; Hebrew: gift from God

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Janis is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." This name evolved through several linguistic stages, transitioning from Hebrew to Greek as Ioannes, then to Latin as Iohannes, and subsequently to Old French as Johan. The name ultimately entered the English language as John, which has numerous variants across different cultures. Janis is considered a feminine form of this name, emerging in the 20th century, particularly influenced by the name Janice, which itself is a diminutive of Jan.

Historically, the name John has significant biblical roots, being borne by numerous figures in the Christian tradition, including John the Baptist and the Apostle John. The name's prominence was further solidified through its use in major religious texts, such as the King James Bible, published in 1611, which contributed to the widespread recognition of its variants. The feminine form Janis gained traction in the mid-20th century, notably associated with cultural icons such as Janis Joplin, a prominent figure in the music scene of the 1960s.

Culturally, Janis carries connotations of grace and favor, reflecting its etymological roots. The name has been embraced in various artistic and literary contexts, often symbolizing individuality and creativity. Its association with notable personalities has contributed to its resonance in popular culture, while the diminutive Janie has also been used historically, adding a layer of familiarity and affection to the name. Overall, Janis encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural significance.

Trend Summary

Janis has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the mid-20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Janice
  • Janis

International Variants

  • Yanis (Greek)
  • Yannick (French)

Famous people named Janis

Janis Joplin is a singer and songwriter best known for Piece of My Heart, Me and Bobby McGee, and Cry Baby.

Janis Ian is a singer-songwriter best known for At Seventeen, Society's Child, and Stars.

Janis Karpinski is a former U.S. Army officer best known for her role in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.

Fictional characters named Janis

Janis Ian is a fictional character from the film Mean Girls. She is a smart and outspoken student who befriends the protagonist, Cady Heron.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Janis was first seen in the United States in 1909. Janis has ranked as high as #203 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in California, Illinois, Ohio, New York, and Michigan. In the past 5 years the name Janis has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Janis (2019)

StateBirthsShare
CA 6
55%
TX 5
45%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19096
19108
191111
191215
191320
191434
191539
191654
191755
191874
191979
1920121
1921105
1922106
1923107
1924133
1925140
1926145
1927197
1928194
1929226
1930270
1931261
1932306
1933361
1934412
1935448
1936599
1937716
1938640
1939620
1940578
1941596
1942719
1943651
1944729
19451,128
19462,053
19473,205
19482,745
19492,458
19502,295
19512,550
19522,181
19531,864
19541,791
19551,840
19562,364
19571,553
19581,224
19591,012
1960856
1961708
1962591
1963664
1964516
1965427
1966345
1967306
1968284
1969270
1970244
1971280
1972203
1973163
1974161
1975155
1976171
1977161
1978154
1979161
1980138
1981124
1982106
1983102
198475
198580
198663
198747
198855
198975
199046
199140
199253
199345
199454
199546
199632
199740
199853
199952
200036
200138
200244
200326
200440
200536
200631
200730
200827
200935
201036
201123
201218
201328
201433
201530
201623
201720
201820
201921
20209
202110
202210
202311
202411