Find out how popular the first name Jana has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jana by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Jana is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Jana being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 200 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jana.

The history of the first name Jana

Jana is a feminine given name of Slavic origin, derived from the Hebrew name Johanna, which itself is a feminine form of the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious." The name Jana is most commonly associated with Central and Eastern European countries, particularly in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and parts of Germany.

The earliest recorded use of the name Jana can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where it was used among Slavic populations in Central and Eastern Europe. In the 9th century, a Bohemian noblewoman named Jana of Bohemia was recorded as one of the earliest known bearers of the name.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Jana. One of the most famous was Jana of Arc, also known as Joan of Arc (1412-1431), the French Catholic heroine who played a pivotal role in the Hundred Years' War. Another historical figure was Jana of Castile (1479-1555), the Queen of Spain and daughter of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile.

In the realm of literature, Jana Eyrová (1819-1849) was a Czech poet and writer who is considered one of the pioneering figures in the Czech national revival movement. Additionally, Jana Novák (1853-1912) was a Czech composer and pianist known for her contributions to the development of Czech classical music.

Turning to more recent times, Jana Novotná (1968-2017) was a renowned Czech professional tennis player and a former world No. 1 who won multiple Grand Slam singles and doubles titles throughout her career.

While the name Jana has maintained its popularity in Central and Eastern European countries, it has also gained recognition globally, with many notable individuals bearing the name in various fields, including arts, sciences, and sports.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Jana was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jana, please contact us.

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