Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Janet
GirlEnglish, Scottish· “Yahweh is gracious”
- Meaning
- Yahweh is gracious
- Origin
- English, Scottish
- Pronunciation
- JA-nuht
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,791
- US babies 2025
- 61
- Best rank
- #16 (1938)
- Peak year
- 1954
Meaning and origin of Janet
Janet is an English and Scottish name that means “Yahweh is gracious”.
Janet is a medieval diminutive of Jane, itself a feminine form of John, from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." The name was especially popular in Scotland for centuries, where it was sometimes spelled Jonet. Its crisp two-syllable sound made it a standard in the English-speaking world during the twentieth century. The New Zealand novelist Janet Frame is one notable bearer. Today Janet feels classic and trustworthy, poised for a revival alongside names like June and Jean, and Jan and Jenny are traditional nicknames.
Popularity over time
Janet has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 132 different years. Its best national rank was #16 in 1938, and the most babies received it in 1954, when 18,477 were named Janet. In 2025, 61 babies were named Janet, and it ranked #2,791 nationally. That is 61% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #124 in 1920, #18 in 1950, #172 in 1980, #412 in 2000, #890 in 2010, and #2,791 in 2025. Of the 556,776 US girls named Janet since records began, 30% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 130,755 babies. Since 2010, 2,427 more have been named Janet.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Diane, Beverly, Connie, Pamela, and Vicki.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Janet ranked highest in New York, California, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #2229 | 5 |
| California | #2371 | 8 |
| Texas | #3081 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Janet is usually pronounced JA-nuht, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with J and ends in “-et”.
Middle names for Janet
A few middle names that flow with Janet: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Janet
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Lists that include Janet
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Janet mean?
Janet is an English and Scottish name that means “Yahweh is gracious”.
What is the origin of the name Janet?
Janet has English, Scottish, and Hebrew roots. Janet is a medieval diminutive of Jane, itself a feminine form of John, from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." The name was especially popular in Scotland for centuries, where it was sometimes spelled Jonet.
Is Janet a popular name?
Not especially. Janet ranked #2,791 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Janet a boy or girl name?
Janet is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Janet?
Janet is usually pronounced JA-nuht. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings