Janel
Every Janel since 1933 — 12,055 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Janel
Janel is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #11,330 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1933, 12,055 American babies have been named Janel. Its peak came in 1971, when 429 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Janel stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Janel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | #11,330 | — | — |
| 2024 | 16 | #7,065 | — | — |
| 2023 | 18 | #6,519 | — | — |
| 2022 | 14 | #7,793 | — | — |
| 2021 | 23 | #5,467 | — | — |
| 2020 | 27 | #4,810 | — | — |
| 2019 | 26 | #5,090 | — | — |
| 2018 | 23 | #5,526 | — | — |
| 2017 | 32 | #4,434 | — | — |
| 2016 | 36 | #4,123 | — | — |
| 2015 | 31 | #4,532 | — | — |
| 2014 | 38 | #3,956 | — | — |
| 2013 | 41 | #3,737 | — | — |
| 2012 | 35 | #4,247 | — | — |
| 2011 | 42 | #3,688 | — | — |
| 2010 | 43 | #3,657 | — | — |
| 2009 | 64 | #2,789 | — | — |
| 2008 | 69 | #2,672 | — | — |
| 2007 | 57 | #3,073 | — | — |
| 2006 | 56 | #3,031 | — | — |
| 2005 | 59 | #2,797 | — | — |
| 2004 | 78 | #2,250 | — | — |
| 2003 | 92 | #1,976 | — | — |
| 2002 | 78 | #2,151 | — | — |
| 2001 | 101 | #1,768 | — | — |
| 2000 | 96 | #1,807 | — | — |
| 1995 | 163 | #1,093 | — | — |
| 1990 | 194 | #966 | — | — |
| 1985 | 185 | #868 | — | — |
| 1980 | 397 | #507 | 5 | #6,673 |
| 1975 | 346 | #514 | — | — |
| 1970 | 386 | #508 | — | — |
| 1965 | 105 | #1,019 | — | — |
| 1960 | 110 | #1,026 | — | — |
| 1955 | 86 | #1,091 | — | — |
| 1950 | 73 | #1,079 | — | — |
| 1945 | 13 | #2,522 | — | — |
| 1940 | 7 | #3,653 | — | — |
| 1935 | 29 | #1,369 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Janel
- Janel Parrish Actor · b. 1988
- Janel Moloney Actor · b. 1969
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Janel in 2025?
Janel ranked #11,330 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Janel?
12,055 babies have been named Janel in the United States since 1933, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Janel most popular?
Janel peaked in 1971, when 429 newborns received the name.
Is Janel a boy or girl name?
Janel is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Janel rising or falling?
Janel is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Janel?
Well-known people named Janel include Janel Parrish (actor), Janel Moloney (actor).