Declining since 1986, #5,238 for girls today.
Popularity of Jeannette since 1880
Babies named Jeannette per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 705 |
| 1890s | 1,289 |
| 1900s | 2,111 |
| 1910s | 7,719 |
| 1920s | 9,992 |
| 1930s | 9,798 |
| 1940s | 9,631 |
| 1950s | 8,863 |
| 1960s | 7,565 |
| 1970s | 5,196 |
| 1980s | 3,708 |
| 1990s | 1,648 |
| 2000s | 547 |
| 2010s | 350 |
| 2020s | 129 |
Meaning & origin
Jeannette is a classic French diminutive that has been in steady use in the United States since at least 1880. Its peak year was 1916, when it ranked among the top names for girls. Since 1986, its popularity has steadily declined, and in 2025 it was given to roughly 1 in 66,969 newborns. The name carries a strong religious meaning of 'God is gracious' and shares roots with other long-favored names like Jean and Janet. As a century-old name with a soft, feminine sound, Jeannette retains a vintage charm.
Jeannette is a French feminine diminutive of Jeanne, itself the French form of Johanna, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning 'Yahweh is gracious.' The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century, often considered a variant of Jean or Janet. It experienced a surge in popularity in the early 1900s, peaking in 1916.
Where Jeannette 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.
“Jeannette” around the world
Where Jeannette lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jean, Jan, Nettie, Jenny
Sibling names for Jeannette
Names that share Jeannette's style, for a brother or sister.
