MallowbyNames

Janira

jah-NEE-rah · Probably a variant of Janira, a name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Spanish and Portuguese form of the Hebrew name Yochana, meaning 'God is gracious'.

Peak popularity
1988
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Janira since 1972

Babies named Janira per year in U.S. Social Security records.

102030198020002020Most births 1988Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s83
1980s223
1990s216
2000s158
2010s50
2020s10

Meaning & origin

Janira is a rare American feminine name that first appeared on the U.S. Social Security baby name list in 1972. Its use peaked in 1988, and since then it has remained stable with very low annual counts. The name is not restricted to any single geographic region within the United States; its top states are not recorded due to its rarity. Janira is likely a modern elaboration of the Spanish and Portuguese name Jana, itself a form of Jane, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yochana, meaning 'God is gracious'. The suffix -ira gives it a distinctive, musical quality. Although not widely used, Janira fits a trend of melodic, vowel-ending names common in Hispanic and English-speaking communities.

Janira is likely a modern elaboration or variant of the name Jana (Spanish and Portuguese form of Jane, from Hebrew Yochana), with the suffix -ira adding a melodic quality. It emerged in the United States in the 1970s and saw modest use through the 1980s, peaking in 1988. The name remains rare but is occasionally chosen for its rhythmic sound and cross-cultural appeal.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Jani, Nira

Variants: Janirah, Janirah

Sibling names for Janira

Names that share Janira's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

J is for Janira, our favorite little girl.

J is for Janira…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Janira's letter becomes Janira's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Janira's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Janira mean?
Janira is of uncertain origin, but it is often considered a variant of Jana, which means 'God is gracious'.
How popular is the name Janira?
Janira is a rare name. It peaked in popularity in 1988 and has remained stable with very few births per year.
Is Janira a girl's name or a boy's name?
Janira is almost exclusively used for girls.