Declining since 1985, #9,457 for girls today.
Popularity of Janis since 1909
Babies named Janis per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 6 |
| 1910s | 389 |
| 1920s | 1,474 |
| 1930s | 4,633 |
| 1940s | 14,862 |
| 1950s | 18,673 |
| 1960s | 4,968 |
| 1970s | 1,853 |
| 1980s | 865 |
| 1990s | 461 |
| 2000s | 343 |
| 2010s | 253 |
| 2020s | 61 |
Meaning & origin
Janis is a feminine given name that originated as a variant of Janice, itself a feminine form of John. It means 'God is gracious' and has English origins. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1909 and experienced its peak popularity in 1947, during the mid-20th century. Since 1985, its usage has steadily declined, reflecting a broader shift away from mid-century names. As of 2025, Janis ranks 9,457th, with only about 1 in 160,727 newborns receiving the name. It has no strong regional concentration, as top state associations are not recorded. Despite its rarity today, Janis carries a vintage charm reminiscent of the 1940s.
Janis is a feminine given name that originated as a variant of Janice, itself a feminine form of John. John derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning 'Yahweh is gracious.' The name Janis gained prominence in the English-speaking world in the early 20th century, notably peaking in popularity during the 1940s.
Where Janis 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.
“Janis” around the world
Where Janis lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jan, Janny
Sibling names for Janis
Names that share Janis's style, for a brother or sister.
