Janet
Janet is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God is gracious.
Origin and history
Janet is a diminutive of Jane, which ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan. It enjoyed immense popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, ranking among the top feminine names. While its modern usage has declined, it remains a classic, widely recognized tradition.
Popularity in the United States
556,776 babies in the United States have been named Janet since 1880. It ranks #54 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1581.
States where it is most popular
- NY (8.7 %)
- CA (8.1 %)
- PA (7.7 %)
- IL (6.7 %)
- OH (6.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 461 |
| 1890-1900 | 898 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,541 |
| 1910-1920 | 10,713 |
| 1920-1930 | 23,973 |
| 1930-1940 | 76,038 |
| 1940-1950 | 130,755 |
| 1950-1960 | 167,520 |
| 1960-1970 | 89,315 |
| 1970-1980 | 24,454 |
| 1980-1990 | 13,520 |
| 1990-2000 | 9,660 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,501 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,906 |
| 2020-2029 | 521 |
Famous people named Janet
- Janet Jackson: Singer, Songwriter
- Janet Yellen: Economist, Public Official
- Janet Leigh: Actress
Nicknames
Jan, Janey, Janie, Nettie
Fun facts
- Janet ranked among the top 20 most popular girl names in the United States throughout the 1930s to 1950s.
- It originally arose in Middle English as a diminutive suffix added to the name Jane.