Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Jani
GirlEnglish, Hebrew· “short form of Janet or Janice”
- Meaning
- short form of Janet or Janice
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JAN-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #7,644
- US babies 2025
- 14
- Best rank
- #1,306 (1960)
- Peak year
- 1960
Meaning and origin of Jani
Jani is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “short form of Janet or Janice”.
Jani is usually a short form of names like Janet, Janice or Janine, all from the Hebrew Yochanan, God is gracious. In Finnish and Hungarian, Jani is a masculine form of John, but in the US it is registered mostly for girls. The pronunciation varies: JAN-ee is common in English, while Finnish and Hungarian speakers say YAH-nee. Families may want to settle on one early. Jan is an easy short form. The name is short and cheerful.
Other spellings with the same sound: Yani.
Popularity over time
Jani first appears in US Social Security records in 1943. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,306 in 1960, the same year it reached its highest count of 71 babies. In 2025, 14 babies were named Jani, and it ranked #7,644 nationally. That is 180% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #3,795 in 1950, #4,596 in 1980, #6,058 in 2000, #7,331 in 2010, and #7,644 in 2025. Of the 1,659 US girls named Jani since records began, 22% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 298 babies. Since 2010, 190 more have been named Jani.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Lorry, Kimbra, Wonda, Renate, and Nancee.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 92% of US babies named Jani over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Jani is usually pronounced JAN-ee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with J and ends in “-ni”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Yani.
Middle names for Jani
A few middle names that flow with Jani: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jani
Similar names
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Janie Girl
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Lists that include Jani
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jani mean?
Jani is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “short form of Janet or Janice”.
What is the origin of the name Jani?
Jani has English and Hebrew roots. Jani is usually a short form of names like Janet, Janice or Janine, all from the Hebrew Yochanan, God is gracious.
Is Jani a popular name?
Not especially. Jani ranked #7,644 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Jani a boy or girl name?
Jani is mainly a girl's name. About 92% of US babies named Jani over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Jani?
Jani is usually pronounced JAN-ee. 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