Declining since 1985, #1,241 for girls today.
Popularity of Jana since 1921
Babies named Jana per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1961, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Jana's real moment was 1979.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 64 |
| 1930s | 223 |
| 1940s | 1,661 |
| 1950s | 7,084 |
| 1960s | 11,612 |
| 1970s | 9,168 |
| 1980s | 7,267 |
| 1990s | 2,952 |
| 2000s | 2,395 |
| 2010s | 2,531 |
| 2020s | 1,228 |
Meaning & origin
Jana has been a consistent presence in American baby naming since at least 1921. It saw its peak popularity in 1979, but has been gradually declining since 1985. Currently ranking 1241st as of 2025, the name is given to roughly 1 in every 8880 girls. It was most popular in the 1970s, a decade that saw a revival of simple, classic names. Top states include Illinois, Virginia, and Minnesota, reflecting its regional appeal. Jana is a feminine form of John, meaning 'God is gracious', and has roots in multiple cultures, including Slavic and Germanic, giving it a versatile and international feel.
Jana is a feminine form of John, derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning 'God is gracious'. It emerged as a given name in various cultures, including Slavic, Germanic, and English-speaking countries, often used as a short form of Johanna or as an independent name. The name has been consistently used in the United States since the early 20th century.
Where Jana is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Jana” around the world
Where Jana lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
235
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Quebec
31
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jan, Janie, Annie
Sibling names for Jana
Names that share Jana's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Jana
Names whose popularity has moved with Jana's over the last 50 years.
