Declining since 1985, #799 for girls today.
Popularity of Janelle since 1912
Babies named Janelle per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 84 |
| 1920s | 280 |
| 1930s | 857 |
| 1940s | 1,499 |
| 1950s | 3,528 |
| 1960s | 5,025 |
| 1970s | 8,439 |
| 1980s | 12,571 |
| 1990s | 8,488 |
| 2000s | 6,773 |
| 2010s | 6,906 |
| 2020s | 2,431 |
Meaning & origin
Janelle is a feminine name of English origin, formed by combining Jane with the French diminutive suffix -elle. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1912, but its popularity surged in the 1970s, peaking in 1978. Since 1985, it has been in decline, though it remains a recognizable choice. In 2025, it ranked 799th with an incidence of 1 in 4,727. Geographically, Janelle has been most common in Nevada, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, reflecting a tendency toward stylish, modern coinages in those states during its heyday.
Janelle is a modern English coinage, a feminine diminutive of Jane via the French suffix -elle. Jane is the English feminine form of John, itself from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' The name emerged in the United States in the early 20th century and gained popularity particularly in the 1970s and 1980s.
Where Janelle 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.
“Janelle” around the world
Where Janelle lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
45
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jan, Nell, Nellie, Janie
Sibling names for Janelle
Names that share Janelle's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Michelle, Danielle, Nicole, Renee, Monique, Janel, Johnna, Marilee, Nikia, Chantell, Jalissa, Janean, Janee, Janella, Janiece, Janise, Jenise, Jonelle, Lynelle, Machelle, Shanelle, Starlene, Tangela, Tennille, Willene, Candise, Carlisa, Catrice, Chanice, Chantay, Charese, Charice, Charlisa, Charnelle, Chenelle, Cherese, Danise, Darielle, Dejanae, Delissa, Denelle, Denika, Donyelle, Genese, Genise, Ginelle, Jalicia, Jamesia, Jamisha, Janalee, Janalyn, Janaye, Janece, Janeice, Janese, Janielle, Janique, Janisha, Jannine, Jelissa, Jenene, Jillene, Jolynne, Laniece, Linell, Marchell, Martisha, Milinda, Mischelle, Nachelle, Nichele, Ranelle, Ronelle, Shameika, Sharisse, Tenika, Tinamarie, Calisha, Charnele, Chenell, Chenille, Cheryn, Curtisha, Damonique, Dannelle, Darcelle, Dawnita, Dennisha, Deshae, Imunique, Jackee, Jakala, Jalise, Jameca, Jamella, Jancie, Janeah, Janeal, Janeene, Janele, Janelis, Janicia, Janila, Jenisha, Jizelle, Jodelle, Junelle, Keyarah, Kristelle, Krystelle, Ladasia, Lynita, Lynnelle, Marshelle, Raynelle, Rejeana, Shajuana, Shakeia, Shantea, Sharonica, Shaunice, Shauntelle, Sheresa, Sherisse, Tonjia, Venisha, Yolunda, Anelle, Cherisa, Janiaya, Jeronica, Karolee, Shaterica, Teniyah, Yanett, Anjanae, Arnisha, Avonelle, Belenda, Chalene, Chandell, Channelle, Chareese, Charrise, Dejane, Franchelle, Jachelle, Jalonda, Janavia, Janayia, Janeka, Janeshia, Janiene, Janisa, Jannelly, Janora, Jaynell, Jeanae, Jenese, Jennise, Jermanie, Jesselle, Jinelle, Kanylah, Kashina, Kemonie, Kenijah, Kimmarie, Lakasha, Lanett, Leslyn, Marchele, Markeia, Marshella, Nelissa, Patrese, Rainelle, Ricquel, Shalona, Shelise, Tanielle, Tanyiah, Tenishia, Tericka, Timisha, Tykisha, Yanelle
Brothers: Michael, Christopher, David, Andre, Dwayne, Davonte, Deandre, Delane, Stephon, Tyron, Carnell, Darcel, Javien, Jereme, Jerone, Jerson, Johnell, Lynell, Treshawn, Antwann, Dametrius, Donnelle, Emarion, Januel, Jhonathan, Jonel, Kaveon, Lakendrick, Lenell, Quartez, Raynell, Syaire, Tajuan, Termaine, Tramell, Damarkus, Darrelle, Decari, Dorrell, Jamarco, Janeil, Janiel, Jarelle, Javares, Jerelle, Jermarion, Jermond, Jermone, Johnel, Johnta, Jontavius, Lejuan, Markelle, Marquavis, Reshard, Romone, Trejon, Treyshawn, Jarmel, Jacquise, Jaecion, Janmichael, Janthony, Javious, Jemell, Jermery, Jermine, Jernard, Jojuan, Jshon, Kemontae, Larrell, Markeem, Stephaun, Tradarius, Vonzell
Names like Janelle
Names whose popularity has moved with Janelle's over the last 50 years.
