Janis
A variant of Janice. Doublet of Ivana, Jana, Janice, Jean, Jeanne, Jen, Joan, Joanna, Joanne, Johanna, Juana, Shavonne, Sian, Siobhan, Shane, Shaun, Shauna, and Sheena.
Every Janis since 1909 — 49,015 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Janis
Janis is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #9,736 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1909, 49,015 American babies have been named Janis. Its peak came in 1947, when 3,217 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
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 Janis stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Janis 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 | 10 | #9,736 | — | — |
| 2024 | 11 | #9,198 | — | — |
| 2023 | 11 | #9,263 | 6 | #11,425 |
| 2022 | 10 | #10,004 | 5 | #13,155 |
| 2021 | 10 | #9,866 | — | — |
| 2020 | 9 | #10,623 | — | — |
| 2019 | 21 | #5,869 | — | — |
| 2018 | 20 | #6,122 | — | — |
| 2017 | 20 | #6,148 | — | — |
| 2016 | 23 | #5,702 | — | — |
| 2015 | 30 | #4,643 | — | — |
| 2014 | 33 | #4,393 | — | — |
| 2013 | 28 | #4,946 | — | — |
| 2012 | 18 | #6,976 | — | — |
| 2011 | 23 | #5,820 | — | — |
| 2010 | 37 | #4,063 | — | — |
| 2009 | 35 | #4,308 | — | — |
| 2008 | 27 | #5,354 | — | — |
| 2007 | 30 | #4,864 | — | — |
| 2006 | 31 | #4,621 | — | — |
| 2005 | 36 | #3,985 | — | — |
| 2004 | 40 | #3,660 | — | — |
| 2003 | 26 | #4,862 | — | — |
| 2002 | 44 | #3,215 | — | — |
| 2001 | 38 | #3,514 | — | — |
| 2000 | 36 | #3,616 | 5 | #11,121 |
| 1995 | 46 | #2,663 | — | — |
| 1990 | 46 | #2,581 | — | — |
| 1985 | 80 | #1,529 | — | — |
| 1980 | 138 | #1,036 | 5 | #6,674 |
| 1975 | 155 | #864 | — | — |
| 1970 | 244 | #660 | — | — |
| 1965 | 427 | #461 | — | — |
| 1960 | 857 | #321 | 6 | #3,838 |
| 1955 | 1,840 | #180 | 10 | #2,667 |
| 1950 | 2,295 | #136 | 6 | #3,490 |
| 1945 | 1,128 | #184 | 5 | #3,529 |
| 1940 | 578 | #260 | — | — |
| 1935 | 448 | #287 | — | — |
| 1930 | 270 | #403 | — | — |
| 1925 | 140 | #620 | — | — |
| 1920 | 121 | #660 | — | — |
| 1915 | 39 | #1,085 | — | — |
| 1910 | 8 | #1,844 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Janis
- Janis Joplin Singer · 1943–1970
- Janis Rozentāls Painter · 1866–1916
- Janis Ian Musician · b. 1951
- Janis Paige Actor · b. 1922
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Janis mean?
A variant of Janice. Doublet of Ivana, Jana, Janice, Jean, Jeanne, Jen, Joan, Joanna, Joanne, Johanna, Juana, Shavonne, Sian, Siobhan, Shane, Shaun, Shauna, and Sheena.
How popular is the name Janis in 2025?
Janis ranked #9,736 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Janis?
49,015 babies have been named Janis in the United States since 1909, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Janis most popular?
Janis peaked in 1947, when 3,217 newborns received the name.
Is Janis a boy or girl name?
Janis is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Janis rising or falling?
Janis is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Janis?
Well-known people named Janis include Janis Joplin (singer), Janis Rozentāls (painter), Janis Ian (musician).