Is Janie a boy's or girl's name?

Janie is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 276 recorded births.

When was Janie most popular?

Janie reached its peak popularity in 1947 with 1,845 births that year. It is currently ranked #1541 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Janie?

Janie is currently ranked #1541 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 75,428 babies since 1880.

Janie

An uncommon pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysRising fast Also a pet name

#1541▲ 4in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A diminutive of the female given name Jane.

Janie is a girl's and boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a diminutive of Jane, itself a feminine form of John, from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' It has been used as a standalone name in English since the Victorian era.

Janie has a folksy, warm-hearted charm — the name of someone who makes everyone feel welcome. Popularized in songs from "Janie's Got a Gun" to "Janie, I Love You," it sits at the intersection of country warmth and gentle nostalgia.

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Popularity Over Time

Janie was #1039 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1541, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Janie
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	666	#1594	▼
2010s	1,494	#1504	▼
2000s	2,062	#1136	▼
1990s	2,637	#803	▼
1980s	3,079	#611	▼
1970s	3,810	#497	▼
1960s	7,532	#349	▼
1950s	14,615	#210	▲
1940s	13,119	#185	▲
1930s	7,328	#225	▲
1920s	7,156	#242	▲
1910s	5,314	#231	▲
1900s	2,853	#180	▲
1890s	2,272	#174	▲
1880s	1,491	#149	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Janie
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	138	#1541	0
2023	138	#1545	-13 (-8.6%)
2022	151	#1465	+23 (18.0%)
2021	128	#1632	+17 (15.3%)
2020	111	#1785	-30 (-21.3%)
2019	141	#1533	+17 (13.7%)
2018	124	#1679	-8 (-6.1%)
2017	132	#1639	-26 (-16.5%)
2016	158	#1458	-12 (-7.1%)
2015	170	#1389	+5 (3.0%)
2014	165	#1394	+17 (11.5%)
2013	148	#1499	-15 (-9.2%)
2012	163	#1411	+25 (18.1%)
2011	138	#1580	-17 (-11.0%)
2010	155	#1460	-48 (-23.6%)
2009	203	#1229	+2 (1.0%)
2008	201	#1253	+31 (18.2%)
2007	170	#1403	-16 (-8.6%)
2006	186	#1284	-40 (-17.7%)
2005	226	#1056	+3 (1.3%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Janie as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Janie has also been given to 276 boys in the U.S. since 1914.

Unranked

Current rank

276

Total births

1935

Peak year

Compare Janie as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Janie be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Janie is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #1541. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Janie has two lives

Janie, the baby name

#1541girls

75,428 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology