A Hebrew name gently fading from the charts.
A female given name.
Janis is a girl's and boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a variant of Janet or Jane, derived from the Hebrew meaning 'God is gracious.' With nearly 49,000 recorded births, it was a genuine mid-20th century American classic — given immortal cool by rock legend Janis Joplin, whose raspy, passionate voice made the name synonymous with fierce authenticity.
Janis was #3660 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #9163, but its charm endures.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 51 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 252 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 343 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 461 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 865 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 1,853 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 4,967 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 18,674 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 14,862 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 4,633 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 1,474 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 389 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 6 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | #9163 |
| 2023 | 11 | #9258 |
| 2022 | 10 | #9995 |
| 2021 | 10 | #9865 |
| 2020 | 9 | #10617 |
| 2019 | 21 | #5868 |
| 2018 | 20 | #6121 |
| 2017 | 20 | #6146 |
| 2016 | 23 | #5701 |
| 2015 | 30 | #4643 |
| 2014 | 33 | #4393 |
| 2013 | 28 | #4946 |
| 2012 | 18 | #6973 |
| 2011 | 23 | #5817 |
| 2010 | 36 | #4142 |
| 2009 | 35 | #4308 |
| 2008 | 27 | #5354 |
| 2007 | 30 | #4864 |
| 2006 | 31 | #4621 |
| 2005 | 36 | #3984 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Janis has also been given to 174 boys in the U.S. since 1928.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1909–2024) · Methodology