"God is gracious"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Janis
Pronunciation: [ j-AN-ihs ]
Does Janis flow with your last name?
Retro cool with an eternal, blues-soaked soul
English
Latvian
Lithuanian
American
Classic
Retro
Strong
Rock
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Janis
Janis derives from the Hebrew name Yohanan through the Latin Iohannes and Greek Ioannes—all meaning 'God is gracious.' In Latvian tradition, Jānis is one of the most beloved male names (patron of the summer solstice festival Jāņi), while in English-speaking countries Janis emerged as a distinctly feminine variant of Jan/Janice during the mid-20th century. The name carries both Baltic folk tradition and American mid-century charm.
Janis peaked in American popularity during the 1950s-1960s, riding the wave of Jan- names popular in that era. Rock legend Janis Joplin brought raw, powerful energy to the name in the late 1960s, making it synonymous with creative rebellion, artistic intensity, and an uncompromising spirit.
In Latvia, Jānis is the national name par excellence—the name day of Jānis (June 24) is one of the biggest celebrations of the year, a midsummer festival equivalent to a national holiday. Meanwhile in America, Janis Joplin made the name iconic in rock and roll history.
Historical Record
Janis first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 27,466 babies have been named Janis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Janis is past its peak , currently ranked #10,282 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Janis Joplin (1943-1970) was one of the greatest rock vocalists in history, known for her powerful, blues-influenced voice and electrifying live performances
- In Latvia, Jānis is so popular that roughly 1 in 5 men carry the name, making June 24 (Jāņi) essentially the most celebrated name day in the country
- The Latvian midsummer festival Jāņi involves bonfires, flower crowns, and all-night celebrations—one of Europe's oldest surviving pagan traditions
Janis in Other Languages
French
Janis
German
Janis
Hebrew
יוחנן
Latvian
Jānis
Spanish
Yanis
Lithuanian
Janė
Popularity Over Time
#10,282
Current Rank
Peaked 1951
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Janis
J
Janis Ian
Musician
1951
Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter known for the classic At Seventeen
J
Janis Joplin
Musician
1943
Iconic American rock and blues singer, one of the most powerful and influential vocalists in rock history
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Compare Janis with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #10,282
- Total SSA Count
- 11
- Cultural Origins
- English Latvian Lithuanian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Jan
Jani
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Janis
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Janis is also used as a boy name, ranked #20594.
View Janis as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Old French/Latin origin
"marjoram herb"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Janis
What does the name Janis mean?
"God is gracious" (from Hebrew). Janis derives from the Hebrew name Yohanan through the Latin Iohannes and Greek Ioannes—all meaning 'God is gracious.' In Latvian tradition, Jānis is one of the most beloved male names (patron of the summer solstice festival Jāņi), while in English-speaking countries Janis emerged as a distinctly feminine variant of Jan/Janice during the mid-20th century. The name carries both Baltic folk tradition and American mid-century charm.
What is the origin of the name Janis?
Janis has Hebrew, English, Latvian, Lithuanian, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "God is gracious".
Is Janis a boy or girl name?
Janis is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #10282. As a boy name, it is ranked #20594. Janis is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Janis?
Janis is pronounced j-AN-ihs.
How popular is the name Janis?
Janis is currently ranked #10282 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Janis?
Common nicknames for Janis include Jan and Jani.
What are good middle names for Janis?
Popular middle name pairings include Janis Lynn, Janis Marie, Janis Elaine, Janis Kay, and Janis Ann.
What are good sibling names for Janis?
Names that pair well with Janis as siblings include Linda, Carol, Sandra, Dennis, and Gary.
How many syllables does Janis have?
Janis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Janis a common or rare name?
Janis is an uncommon name, ranked #10282 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Janis?
About the Name Janis
Janis is a girl name with English, Latvian, Lithuanian, and American origins . The name means "God is gracious" in Hebrew .
Is Janis a boy or girl name? Janis is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #10,282 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #20,594. Janis is more commonly used as a girl name.
Janis is currently ranked #10,282 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Janis has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-AN-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Janis include Jan and Jani. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Janis include Janiyah, Janie, Janiya, Janice, Janiah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis