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

Jeanette is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 537 recorded births.

When was Jeanette most popular?

Jeanette reached its peak popularity in 1939 with 2,893 births that year. It is currently ranked #2778 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Jeanette?

Jeanette is currently ranked #2778 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 163,365 babies since 1880.

Jeanette

An uncommon French pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysFrenchDeclining Also a pet name

#2778▼ 9in 2024

Meaning & Origin

Alternative form of Jeannette.

Jeanette is a girl's and boy's baby name of French origin, a French diminutive of Jeanne (the French form of Joan), which traces back through Latin to the Hebrew Yohanan meaning 'God is gracious.'

Jeanette carries the refined elegance of French diminutive names, similar to Annette and Colette. It was most popular in the U.S. during the 1930s to 1950s. Singer and actress Jeanette MacDonald, who starred in Hollywood operettas of the golden age, embodied the name's graceful, musical character.

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Popularity Over Time

Jeanette was #1187 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2778, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Jeanette
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	327	#2648	▼
2010s	965	#2070	▼
2000s	1,936	#1253	▼
1990s	6,050	#480	▼
1980s	9,941	#255	▼
1970s	12,970	#210	▼
1960s	22,086	#168	—
1950s	23,984	#152	—
1940s	24,728	#115	—
1930s	24,753	#99	▲
1920s	19,783	#131	▲
1910s	11,134	#150	▲
1900s	2,438	#200	▲
1890s	1,503	#217	▲
1880s	767	#223	—

Year-by-Year Data

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

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Jeanette
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	61	#2778	-1 (-1.6%)
2023	62	#2769	-7 (-10.1%)
2022	69	#2563	+1 (1.5%)
2021	68	#2569	+1 (1.5%)
2020	67	#2563	-2 (-2.9%)
2019	69	#2550	-8 (-10.4%)
2018	77	#2372	-13 (-14.4%)
2017	90	#2135	+12 (15.4%)
2016	78	#2400	-19 (-19.6%)
2015	97	#2032	-5 (-4.9%)
2014	102	#1963	-5 (-4.7%)
2013	107	#1883	+1 (0.9%)
2012	106	#1891	-13 (-10.9%)
2011	119	#1733	-1 (-0.8%)
2010	120	#1744	-6 (-4.8%)
2009	126	#1736	-17 (-11.9%)
2008	143	#1591	+14 (10.9%)
2007	129	#1697	-44 (-25.4%)
2006	173	#1346	+6 (3.6%)
2005	167	#1321	-22 (-11.6%)

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

Jeanette as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Jeanette has also been given to 537 boys in the U.S. since 1918.

Unranked

Current rank

537

Total births

1935

Peak year

Compare Jeanette as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Jeanette be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Jeanette is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #2778. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Jeanette has two lives

Jeanette, the baby name

#2778girls

163,365 babies

Currently viewing

Jeanette, the pet name

#15623pet name

3 pets

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