Janai
Primarily a girl's name of Hebrew origin with 3,057 recorded births. Also given to 88 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. girl's names, Janai currently holds position #2934. It is known but far from saturated — a name that registers without repeating.
Appearing in records from 1960 to 2024, Janai has a solid multi-decade track record without being a permanent fixture — it belongs to a specific chapter of American naming.
In the most recent SSA release, Janai ranks #2934 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Janai is a girl's and boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a variant of Janae or Jana, feminine forms of John meaning 'God is gracious.' The -ai ending gives it a modern, melodic twist on the classic biblical root.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Janai is rooted in the Hebrew tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1960 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Janai’s 3,057 recorded births suggest it has found a niche — possibly within a specific cultural community, region, or naming subculture within the broader American landscape.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Janai was #2141 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2934, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 249 | #3249 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 676 | #2648 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 899 | #2091 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 738 | #1983 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 364 | #3057 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 113 | #5994 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 18 | #6387 | — |
The Story of Janai
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2006, Janai is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Janai are most likely born between 1996 and 2016.
How rare is Janai?
Only about 1 in every 64,286 babies born in 2024 was named Janai — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1960, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 899 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Janai by the numbers
- Would fill 64 school buses
- Meeting one Janai per day would take 8.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(58 years, 1960–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 56 | #2934 |
| 2023 | 46 | #3445 |
| 2022 | 40 | #3791 |
| 2021 | 52 | #3132 |
| 2020 | 55 | #2941 |
| 2019 | 63 | #2713 |
| 2018 | 60 | #2820 |
| 2017 | 63 | #2726 |
| 2016 | 54 | #3078 |
| 2015 | 73 | #2487 |
| 2014 | 67 | #2629 |
| 2013 | 67 | #2642 |
| 2012 | 62 | #2816 |
| 2011 | 79 | #2355 |
| 2010 | 88 | #2211 |
| 2009 | 70 | #2625 |
| 2008 | 83 | #2343 |
| 2007 | 90 | #2202 |
| 2006 | 113 | #1812 |
| 2005 | 102 | #1897 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Janai as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Janai has also been given to 88 boys in the U.S. since 1997.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Janai a boy's or girl's name?
When was Janai most popular?
How popular is the name Janai?
Can Janai be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1960–2024